Tokyo, Japan:
The driver of a speeding Japanese bullet train handed more than the controls to an unqualified conductor so he could answer an urgent get in touch with… of nature, a rail operator has revealed.
The unfortunate driver’s toilet trip could have gone unnoticed, except for the reality that his train was subsequently one minute late, which prompted an investigation in a nation well-known for punctuality.
The driver confessed that he had left his post immediately after experiencing abdominal discomfort, and turned more than controls of the train with l60 passengers on board to a conductor so he could run to the toilet.
He was away for 3 minutes as the train ran at 150 kilometres (93 miles) an hour.
Bullet trains are tightly controlled by computerised central command systems, but human drivers are essential to remain in spot to deal with any unexpected predicament, a spokesman told AFP.
They also will need to manually brake or accelerate as vital to make certain security and hold trains on schedule.
The driver’s short absence apparently resulted in the minute delay that flagged his secret to superiors.
Drivers who encounter an emergency whilst operating a train are supposed to coordinate with the command centre to turn more than the controls to a certified conductor, or cease on the tracks or at the nearest station.
In a news conference on Thursday, organization executives apologised for the incident and mentioned the red-faced driver would be dealt with “appropriately”.
The driver explained he “didn’t want to cause a delay by stopping the train”.
“I didn’t report it because it was embarrassing,” he added.
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