Quick Thinking Saves Passengers From Potential Train Disaster

In an extraordinary act of vigilance, a 65-year-old man named Enamul Haque prevented what could have been a catastrophic train accident near Birampur, Dinajpur. His quick thinking ensured the safety of several hundred passengers travelling on the Panchagarh Express.

On Monday morning, 23 March, at around 7:30 a.m., Enamul was walking near the railway line close to his home in Purbo Chandipur village when he noticed a severely damaged section of track—approximately one foot in length had broken. Realising the imminent danger, he immediately sought ways to alert the approaching train.

With no conventional warning materials available, Enamul displayed remarkable ingenuity. He plucked a large stem from a banana tree nearby and fashioned a makeshift red flag by removing the outer red husk and tying it with a cord to the top of the stem. Standing beside the railway line, he raised this improvised signal. Within five minutes, the Panchagarh-bound intercity train, departing from Dhaka, came into view. Recognising the red signal, the train driver slowed and brought the train to a safe halt, narrowly avoiding a potential disaster. Hundreds of passengers were spared from what could have been a devastating accident.

Enamul’s prompt action did not end there. He instructed locals to alert the nearby Birampur Railway Station. Responding quickly, Shahinur, the son of Ekramul Haque from the same village, contacted railway officials at Parbatipur. Within thirty minutes, engineers and workers arrived, implementing temporary measures to restore safe train operations until proper repairs could be completed.

Speaking to reporters, Enamul Haque recalled, “I was walking near the tracks when I noticed a section more than a foot long had broken. I called out for help, but with the train approaching from the south and no red cloth available, I used a banana stem to signal. Thankfully, the train stopped in time.”

The local station master, Shawkat Ali, confirmed, “At around 6:30 a.m., we were informed of the damage between kilometre markers 352/5 and 352/6 on the Fulbari-Birampur section. Our engineering team quickly repaired the track. Thanks to Mr. Haque’s vigilance, a major accident was averted.”

The incident has since been celebrated locally as a remarkable example of civic responsibility and presence of mind, illustrating how a single individual’s awareness can save hundreds of lives.

Incident Summary

Enamul Haque’s courage and quick thinking remain a testament to the power of awareness and community responsibility.