The driver and the co-driver of the heritage Nilgiris Mountain Railway sustained burn injuries when the engine boiler suddenly burst due to misfire and hot water spilled on them. The mishap occurred near Hillgrove railway station today.

The train with six coaches and nearly 120 passengers left Mettupalayam for Udhagamandalam at 7:15 am and suddenly stopped on a bridge at Hillgrove after a snag in the engine. This was owing to a misfire. As the driver raised the power, water from the radiator splashed out and fell on the two, railway sources said.

Bhoopathi and Satheesh sustained burn injuries from the minor sparks. Another engine and two coaches were requisitioned from Coonoor to take the passengers and also the injured drivers to hospital, they added.