My BP shot up as she jumped before the train, says Mumbai motorman who saved teen

The 90218 slow local from Borivli to Churchgate was approaching Mahalaxmi station. As the train was already delayed by 10 minutes, motorman Ramdev Raghuvir Singh (47) was in a hurry to make up for lost time.u00a0

Also read: Mumbai train motorman's survival instincts save suicidal teenager

"Around 9.15 am I perceived a young woman standing on the edge of the platform towards Virar side. I could feel that she was preparing to jump. I slowed down and honked several times, but she didn't budge," said Singh, who resides at Nallasopara. As per conventions, while approaching a platform a train usually maintains a speed of about 40 kmph.

"As the train came closer, the woman leapt on to the tracks. I thought, ‘Oh Lord! She's done for.' But luckily she remained in the gap between the rails and the train. And even though almost an entire bogie passed over her, she was alive," the motorman added.

According to witnesses, the woman jumped in front of the train, but then survival instincts kicked in, and she lay frozen in that tiny space. Though shocked, Singh tried to slacken the train's pace to save her life. "I could make out that she was alive and not hurt much, though a bogie had gone over her. There wasn't that dreadful noise that we get to hear when the train runs someone over," said Singh.

After stopping the train, the driver disembarked, ensured the teen was alive and immediately informed the stationmaster who, along with a few other helpers, rescued her. The girl was unhurt.

"My blood pressure shot up when I saw her jumping in front of the train, but I thanked God when I saw her walking. That made my day. It's God who saved her life, but he made me his mediator. I am very happy that I helped save her life," added Singh. In all this commotion, the train was delayed by around 4 minutes.

In his 21 years as motorman with Western Railway (WR), Singh has been witness to a fair share of mishaps. "When an accident does occur, I lose my peace of mind and can't even eat. Thankfully, this day ended well," he said. u00a0

21
Number of years Ramdev Raghuvir Singh has spent as a motorman with Western Railway