Attend to accident victims during golden hour: GRP chief

At least 11 people die in railway accidents every day and several others are injured

In a bid to curb the spike in the number of deaths owing to railway accidents, government railway police (GRP) commissioner Madhukar Pandey has written to the railway authorities asking them to do away with the age-old policy of taking accident victim to the hospital only after issuing a memo.

Citing that time is wasted during the crucial golden hour, Pandey has asked the railways to amend the rules with a focus on saving lives. At least 11 people die in railway accidents every day and several others are injured.

The letter that was written last week said crucial time is wasted waiting for ambulance drivers and railway police escort to arrive and for station masters to issue memos. “Times have changed and hospitals show sensitivity towards railway accident victims. It is generally seen that ambulance drivers and police escorts take time to reach the accident spot. Station masters also take time to issue memos, this violating crucial golden hour rules,” said Pandey. A memo can be sent to the hospital later with the police, the GRP chief added.

Railway officials agreed that considerable time is wasted in informing station masters as most accidents take place between stations.

The GRP will also take up the issue with the railways during the upcoming monthly meeting so that required amendments are put in place soon.