The Railway Protection Force (RPF) on Monday (June 15) registered a case against a level crossing gatekeeper after a major railway accident was narrowly averted near Chirakkal in Kannur on Sunday evening. The case was registered against Rajesh, 58, who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol while on duty.

The incident occurred around 4 p.m. at the Arppamthodu railway gate near Chirakkal railway station. The level crossing gate remained open even as the Mangaluru-Chennai Superfast Mail approached.

Residents who noticed the approaching train intervened and stopped vehicles from both sides of the crossing. Their timely action, along with the response of the loco pilot, helped avert a major tragedy.

Following alerts from residents, personnel from the RPF and the Valapattanam police reached the spot and launched an investigation into the incident.