RPF registers case against driver after Vande Bharat hits auto 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) have registered a case after Vande Bharat hit an auto at Akathumuri railway station near Varkala. The Vande Bharat Express travelling from Kasargod to Thiruvananthapuram hit the auto. A case has been registered against auto driver Sudhi of Kallambalam. He is in police custody.

The auto entered the railway track from the platform area. Seeing the auto lying on the track, the train stopped after applying an emergency brake. The train dragged the auto for about half of the platform. It is not clear how the auto landed on the railway track. The auto driver was under the influence of alcohol and as he is still under it, the RPF could not record his statement. The auto was completely destroyed in the accident. There was no one else in the auto. The train was delayed for several hours following the accident.