Driver fainted drinking tea

The Chattola Express, which moved onto a wrong track and collided head-on with Chittagong-bound Mohanagar Godhuli on December 8, had lost control as its loco master fell unconscious after taking tea at a station en route.
A four-member probe committee reported the findings yesterday.
TA Chowdhury, director general of Bangladesh Railway, last night told The Daily Star the probe committee submitted its report to him, holding Dhaka-bound Chattola Express driver Rafiq Uddin responsible for the collision.
“The driver had a cup of tea at Bhairab station and later became unconscious,” said the BR DG. Train drivers while on duty are not allowed to eat or drink from any shops not designated by the Railway, he mentioned.
The DG said he would forward the report to the communications minister today.
Committee sources said assistant driver Main Uddin and director Ismail Miah could have taken the control of the train after Rafiq Uddin lost consciousness. But they didn't.
The probe committee recommended disciplinary actions against the three.
BR Chief Engineer Yusuf Ali Mridha, who heads the probe committee, declined to comment on the findings or recommendations.
The Chattola Express loco master has been found guilty also by three other probe bodies.
The collision in Narsingdi left 14 people dead and over 100 injured.