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Swift work averts train derailment
The quick thinking of an anonymous caller and a Southern Communications
Centre dispatcher averted a probable train derailment.
At about 10am on 19 April 2005 the dispatcher received a call from
a man warning that the railway lines near Waimate were buckled.
The man said: "Don't worry about my name but you have to get
the train stopped and I can see its light in the distance."
The dispatcher immediately rang train control. To save time he transferred
the call direct to train control. He found out later that the train was stopped
about six metres from the buckled line.
It appeared a truck and trailer with a digger on board had nudged one
of the lines, causing the buckling.
Southern Communications Centre Manger, Inspector Kieren Kortegast says
the incident highlighted the split-second decisions that communications staff
make under pressure everyday.
"In this case the quick work may have averted a significant incident."
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