New Delhi: The timely detection of a major fault in a coach of New Delhi-bound Prayagraj Express averted a tragedy even as rail authorities swung into action and normal traffic was restored after six hours, a Northern Railway spokesman said.

Station master Ghulam Qadri detected "abnormal running" of the coach at Maitha in the wee hours and immediately exhibited red signal prompting the driver of the train to apply the emergency brake, he said.

After the train stopped, the authorities found that the 16th coach had jumped the track.

None of the passengers were hurt, the spokesman said adding the traffic was restored at 08:00 hours.

Several trains were running behind the schedule as a result of the dislocation of the traffic on the route, he said.

PTI