A major tragedy was averted thanks to the alertness and presence of mind, of the staff of Mangaluru airport's Air Traffic Control (ATC), on Thursday.  

ATC personnel noticed a  baggage truck on the runway moving directly towards a  Jet Airways aircraft cleared for take-off.

The Mangaluru-Mumbai flight was all set for take-off when ATC spotted the baggage carrier on collision course with the airplane, and alerted the pilots to abort take-off.    

The flight was delayed for a while as a result.

The flight took wing after the runway was cleared, airport sources confirmed.