NE RAILWAY BUREAU
CHENNAI, SEPT 21
A railway platform became the scene of a life-saving act when RPSF constable Deepak’s split-second presence of mind turned a potentially fatal fall into a remarkable rescue. As a passenger slipped while desperately trying to board the departing Chozhan Express at Chennai Egmore, Deepak sprang into action, pulling him clear of danger in a moment that underscored both the value of vigilant railway security and the grave risks of chasing a moving train.
The incident occurred on Sunday as the Chennai Egmore–Tiruchchirappalli Chozhan Express began pulling out of the station. In an attempt to catch the departing train, a male passenger ran along the platform and lunged towards the doorway of the rear general coach.
- Deepak’s lightning reflexes pull passenger clear of moving Chozhan Express after he slips while attempting to board
- CCTV captures the dramatic intervention that averts a potentially fatal mishap
- Southern Railway lauds the constable’s alertness and commitment to passenger safety
- Train departs without detention, and services continue without disruption
- A powerful warning to passengers: Never chase or attempt to board a moving train
His footing failed. He slipped from the footboard, lost his grip and was left dangling dangerously beside the moving train, perilously close to the gap between the platform and the wheels.
A constable’s instinctive dash
Deepak, a Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) constable on routine platform patrol, spotted the passenger in distress and reacted immediately.
He sprinted towards the moving compartment and, amid the alarm of onlookers, caught hold of the passenger by his clothes and upper torso, hauling him clear of the danger.
The dramatic sequence, captured by station CCTV cameras, shows the passenger’s sudden slip followed by Deepak’s rapid intervention. The constable’s alertness and decisive action averted what could have been a devastating accident.
The passenger emerged physically unharmed. The train departed without detention, and railway operations continued without disruption.
Southern Railway praises Deepak’s vigilance
R. Vinoth, Public Relations Officer of Southern Railway’s Chennai Division, praised the constable’s intervention in an official statement, describing it as an example of the force’s commitment to passenger safety.
“This commendable act underscores the unwavering commitment and vigilance of the Railway Protection Force in ensuring passenger safety across the railway network,” the release noted.
The statement added: “Deepak’s prompt action and exceptional alertness averted a tragic incident at Chennai Egmore Railway Station, successfully saving a passenger who slipped while attempting to board a moving train.”
The release also confirmed that the intervention caused no train detention and that services proceeded without disruption.
A viral rescue — and a warning that must not be ignored
The CCTV footage has drawn widespread appreciation on social media, with commuters praising Deepak’s courage and quick thinking. His intervention has also brought into sharp focus a dangerous practice that can turn a routine journey into a life-threatening emergency.
Passengers must never run alongside a departing train, attempt to board it while it is moving, or cling to its footboard. A missed train is a minor inconvenience; a fall beside moving wheels can have irreversible consequences.
Deepak’s presence of mind deserves every commendation. But railway safety cannot depend on heroic rescues alone. Passengers must allow trains to depart safely and board only when they have come to a complete halt.
The incident at Egmore is a reminder that vigilance can save a life—but responsible passenger behaviour can prevent the emergency in the first place.
