BEIJING, June 6 -- A bullet train, D2809 from Guiyang North to Guangzhou South, was hit by mud and rockslide, being about to go through the Yuezhai Tunnel, and derailed at about 10:30 a.m. on June 4.
An analysis of data on the train by the investigators shows that Yang Yong, the train driver, took emergency braking measures within 5 seconds when he detected the abnormality of the railway line as the train was in a tunnel. The train then slid at low speed for more than 900 meters, avoiding even greater casualties or property damage. Yang, however, died in the accident.
The driver Yang Yong was a veteran soldier. He once served in the PAP Hainan Corps from 1993 to 1996. During his service in the troops of the People’s Armed Police Force (PAP), he had been a squad leader and was rated as an Outstanding Soldier.
After retirement from active service, Yang served as acting co-driver, assistant driver, foreman, driver instructor, ground driver, and train driver in succession. At present, the local Veterans Affairs Department where Yang settled down is assisting his families to cope with the aftermath of the accident.