This Disabled Man Ran 3 Km To Tell Railway Officials About A Track Crack
A daily-wager with a weak leg ran 3 km to alert railway authorities about a crack in the tracks, saving thousands of lives.
Krishna Poojary, a resident of Korangrapady, works at a fast food stall. He was diagnosed with an ailment due to which he lost strength in his right leg. As medicines failed and Poojary couldn’t afford to seek further medical help, his doctor advised him to walk daily to strengthen his leg. Acting on the advice, Poojary had been going for a stroll early mornings.
It was during his stroll on a Saturday that he came upon the crack.
His chosen stretch was Brahmasthana Nagabana area in Korangrapady. On Saturday, after he walked a few steps, he stumbled upon the crack. Even as Poojary stood there thinking about what he should do, a train passed and widened the crack. Poojary was terrified about what would happen to the next train. With little time on his hands, he ran some 3 km to find railway officials.
Following Poojary’s alert, railway officials ordered halting of two trains, one at Indrali railway station around 7km away, and another at Padubidri station, around 16km away. In the next 40 minutes, Poojary led railway engineers to the spot and they fixed the crack after which trains were allowed to pass.
“I have severe pain in the leg. But I am glad I could be of help to people,” Poojary added.
Generally a coolie worker, in the off season Poojary says he’s a cook at a local eatery called ‘Cool point at Korangrapady.’ When asked how he managed to stay committed to the task despite his injury, Krishnappa recounts a memory of witnessing a 40-year old railway accident at Nelamangala.
“During those days when education was a luxury, this boy who worked with us at a shack as a waiter had successfully finished his graduation and was returning home. He was deboarding a running train at Nelamangala station, when his bag got stuck in one of the hinges at the boogie door and he was pulled back to the fast moving vehicle. The scene of the body being dragged and crushed is still fresh in my mind, as we watched helplessly,” he said.
Poojary adds that he is constantly plagued by the thought of the incident.
“I would have never been able to forgive myself if something had happened this time. I believe the emotions made me forget my pain and I did not even realise my leg mattered until I reached and alerted the railway officials,” he said.
If not for this brave and selfless man who ignored his own pain and ran a long distance, perhaps another train mishap would have made the news. Instead, thousands of passengers owe Krishna Poojary a great deal of gratitude.
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