12-year-old boy’s alertness averts major train accident in West Bengal

Even though Mursalin Seikh, is merely 12 years old, he showed how mature he was by acting promptly and showing his presence of mind to avert a major accident. This boy from West Bengal’s Malda district waved his red shirt and alerted the loco pilot of a speeding passenger train to stop the train from crossing a portion of the track that was damaged by rain.

The incident took place on September 21 when maintenance of track and other works was going on at Bhaluka road yard. At a certain portion of the track, soil and pebbles had been washed away by the rain and this boy Seikh along with other railway staff was present there. He is the son of a migrant labour and resided in a nearby village Among the people present, it was Seikh who noticed the rain damage portion under the tracks and without wasting a second, acted sensibly and alerted the loco pilot of an approaching passenger train by waving his red shirt along with others on duty railway staffs.

The Northeast Frontier Railway authorities yesterday rewarded the brave boy with a certificate and cash award for his valour and presence of mind.

Khagen Murmu, Member of Parliament from Malda North along with Surendra Kumar, Divisional Railway Manager of Katihar visited the boy at his home to felicitate him. They rewarded him and appreciated his effort.