The thatched hut caught fire from a burning candle The 73-year-old was partially blind and was trapped inside the burning house She was admitted to Govt Medical College Hospital, Thrissur
This may sound a little bit odd, but it was a passenger train that saved the life of a 73-year-old from the fire that engulfed her house. If the train had not passed through the track near her house on time, she would have burned to ashes in her burning hut.
Leelavathy, who is partially blind and bedridden was all alone at the house when the thatched hut caught fire from a burning candle. Her grandson Vishu had gone out with his friends. Leelavathy was down with high fever and was trapped inside the burning house. Though she screamed, loud no one could hear her.
It was then that Ernakulam-Guruvayur passed through the area. Loco Pilot A N Unni spotted the flames, slowed down the train and started to blare the horn continuously. The distress call alerted neighbours who dashed into burning house and saved Leelavathy in the nick of time. They also alerted Fire and Rescue Services who reached the spot and doused the fire. Leelavathy was admitted to Government Medical College Hospital, Thrissur.
Unni, the loco pilot, said he was grateful to have been instrumental in saving the life. "I saw flames as the train was about the reach Guruvayur railway station. Then I realised that it was a house on fire and slowed down the train and started to blare horn continuously and saw people running to the spot. I am happy to have saved her life," Unni said.
