Published 23:11 IST, May 21st 2021

Japan bullet train driver leaves cockpit to attend nature's call as train moves at 90 mph

A Japanese bullet train driver left the cockpit of the train for few minutes to go to the toilet. The driver handed over the control of the train to conductor.

Reported by: Apoorva Kaul
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IMAGE: Fikri Rasyid/Unsplash | Image: self
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Japanese bullet train carrying 160 passengers reached its destination by one-minute delay which prompted authorities to start an investigation. probe revealed that  bullet train driver h left cockpit of train for few minutes to go to toilet. driver h handed over control of high-speed train to conductor who was not qualified to drive Hikari-series train. 

Driver leaves bullet train cockpit 

As per local reports, a company operating Tokaido Shinkansen Line has said that it was first time that driver on its bullet train has left cockpit while passengers were on board. Masahiro Hayatsu, a senior official of JR central while apologising told reporters that driver's action has been "extremely inappropriate". JR Central has reported incident to Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

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company operating high-speed train has termed action a violation of ministry’s ordinance. company is considering taking action against driver and conductor. incident took place on May 16 as train carried 160 passengers at 150 kilometres per hour (90 mph) between Tokyo and Osaka. driver, who has not been named, reportedly h a stomachache and h asked conductor to take his place while he went to toilet. conductor, who was not qualified to drive Hikari-series train, sat in driver’s seat during his absence but did not touch controls, according to Kyodo news agency. As per JR central rules, if driver feels unwell on train, y must report about it to company's operation centre and hand controls over to a qualified conductor or stop at nearest station.

IMAGE: Fikri Rasyid/Unsplash

23:11 IST, May 21st 2021