Hampi Express drivers go missing

ANANTAPUR: Initially, they were assumed to have died when the Hampi Express crashed into a goods train killing 25 persons at Penukonda railway station on Tuesday. Later, it was discovered that the driver and his assistant jumped off the train to save themselves. They were last seen signing the attendance register at the office of Guntakal divisional railway manager. But now, everybody, including the probe officers, are clueless regarding their whereabouts.Mystery shrouds the ‘disappearance’ of driver Yesurathnam (58) and assistant driver Balaraju (42), of the ill fated Hampi Express. Since the accident, there were contradictory reports regarding the duo.Immediately after the accident, it was assumed that the two died in the mishap. But no bodies were found in the engine room, leading to the conclusion that they jumped off the train before the collision. Then they were seen at Penukonda government hospital undergoing treatment, and later, they vanished, but popped up again at the DRM’s office at Guntakal on Wednesday.It is learnt that they signed the attendance register on Wednesday and were picked up later by the railway police, who reportedly shifted them to Hindupur. They, along with six others, were suspended and criminal charges were pressed against them.Though there were reports that the driver and assistant were shifted to Satya Sai super-speciality hospital at Puttaparthi, they were not found there during the visit of chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy to the hospital on Tuesday evening. Later, it was said that they suffered minor injuries, got first aid in Penukonda hospital and spread false information of being serious, only to escape. However, they were reportedly picked up by the railway police. However, the officials are not confirming this.Yesurathnam, a native of Mangapatnam in Kadapa district, has been in the railway service for the last 32 years. He worked as loco assistant and inspector at Gooty, and in 2005 got promoted as mail driver and transferred to Guntakal. He has a good track record and received the best driver award by railways a couple of times during his career. It is learnt he has been contemplating of taking voluntary retirement for last six months, so as to enable his son get the job. His family lives in Gooty.Assistant driver Balaraju, a native of Guntakal, had been working as a khalasi at Guntakal diesel shed and was made assistant driver of goods trains in 2005 and later was promoted as assistant driver for passenger trains. He was elevated as assistant driver of express trains. According to sources close to the drivers, one has the habit of sleeping while on duty, while the other is a drinker. However, when asked whether there were any complaints against them, officials are tight lipped.When Express contacted Guntakal railway DSP Y Harinath Reddy, the investigating officer of the case, he confirmed that the duo had suffered minor injuries after jumping from the train, got first aid at Penukonda hospital and the next day signed the register at Guntakal DRM office. However, he claimed he is not aware of their whereabouts after that and did not confirm if the railway police have picked them up and shifted them to Hindpur.It is also being speculated that the two might have gone to Bengaluru for better treatment. Meanwhile, the inquiry into Hampi Express mishap is being conducted at the DRM office in Bengaluru by the railway safety commissioner. The suspended staff will be attending the inquiry.