Thursday, April 21 2005 15:28 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Samlaya (Gujarat) : Ruling out sabotage in the collision between the Sabarmati Express train and a goods train in Samlaya, the Western Railway General Manager today (Apr 21, 2005) said that the accident was caused by the "mistake" of two railway employees.

"Accident was avoidable. Our staff has committed this mistake", Western Railway General Manager M Z Ansari said at the site.

Asked if there was any possibility of sabotage since a jack bolt was broken, he said that the accident could not have taken place merely by this.

"The signal was also off beside the bolt. The signal maintainer and his helper came and then ran away. It means it is their mistake," Ansari said, adding the mechanical interlocking system for signalling was also disturbed.

"There would be no signal unless the line is clear. Here the signal was off. It means the system was disturbed. It seems the maintenance staff did not follow the correct procedure. After inspecting the site and position of the lever, we can say that it is due to their mistake," the official said.

Earlier, he had said that prima facie it appears to be a case of human error on the part of the staff at B Cabin in Samlaya.

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