KOTA KINABALU, March 3 -- Quick-thinking villagers stopped a train after it suffered brake failure along Sabah's west coast route from Tenom to Pangi by placing a motorcycle trolley on the tracks.

Melalap assemblyman Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said the train, which was carrying teachers from Sekolah Kebangsaan Pangi, departed Tenom at 7.30am when it encountered technical problems near Kilometre 134.

"Quick action by several villagers, who placed a motorcycle trolley on the railway track in order to force the carriage to a stop," he said.

A video recorded by a passenger captured tense moments onboard.

Passengers - including toddlers - were seen huddling together and praying for safety.

Photos of the motorcycle and trolley placed on the track...