Runaway ‘ghost train’ travels 43 miles without a driver after rolling off during crew changeover

A train travelled more than 43 miles and reached speeds of 62mph without a driver.

The runaway goods train sped through five train stations and was filmed going through a station on February 25.

The train left from Kathua, India, bound for Hoshiarpur 84 miles away but when it stopped for a crew change it rolled down another track and gathered speed.

Both the driver and assistant had disembarked when the train set off before being stopped by Indian Railways staff.

The train then started to move down the sloping track.

While nobody was injured, the incident has sparked safety concerns because the crisis was only averted when wooden blocks were placed on the track in front of it.

The train travelled 43 miles and was only stopped with wooden blocks (Picture: Jam Press Vid/TIM)

The train reached speeds of 62mph and zoomed through five train stations (Picture: Jam Press Vid/ TIM)

An investigation into the cause has been opened (Picture: Jam Press Vid/TIM)

The wooden blocks eventually managed to slow the train down and bring it to a complete stop.

Officials also closed off railway crossings that lay in its path and the railway’s overhead cables were cut off.

They are investigating any safety lapses to avoid a similar incident.

A statement said: ‘The exact reason of the incident is yet to be ascertained.’

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A similar incident happened in 2018 when another runaway train in India carrying 1,000 passengers started freewheeling backwards six miles after separating from its engine.

It was seen speeding downhill through Titlagarh and was only stopped when staff moved stones to block the track.

Nobody was hurt during the incident.

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