Abdul Rahman Al-Ali Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – The Saudi Railways Organization (SRO) has removed the driver of the Riyadh-bound train that derailed at Al-Khurais, about 70 km from the capital city, from his job following the accident that injured about 40 passengers. A fact-finding committee discovered that the department of control at Dammam Train Station gave instructions to the train driver to use the high-speed line as no other train was using the route at the time. But the Spanish-manufactured train coming from Riyadh was using the same route. To avoid a collision, the two drivers should have coordinated their movement, but there was clear negligence and no coordination between the drivers. Audio recordings showed that the passenger train was traveling at 125 KM per hour in an area where the driver should have not exceeded 40 KM per hour. The accident took place 74 KM from Riyadh. Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz and Prince Sattam Bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of Riyadh, followed up closely with investigations into the accident while Prince Muhammad Bin Saad, Deputy Emir of Riyadh followed up with the process of transporting the injured passengers to hospitals. The locomotive involved in the accident was old and manufactured in the US. Meanwhile, local Arabic daily reported quoting unidentified sources that the SRO was planning to install sensors and high-resolution surveillance cameras along the railway line from Dammam to Riyadh. The move seeks to curtail thefts of cables and prevent cars and trucks from crossing the railway track. Unauthorized crossing of the line has resulted in so many accidents in the past. The SRO is facing difficulties in linking sensors and cameras with the new system that has been installed by a German company specialized in high-speed train systems. Sources also said the SRO's legal department will sue cattle and sheep farmers for removing parts of the railway fencing to allow their herds to cross over in search of pastures.
