The train driver (although he did not see the green light) called "departure" and started the train. Just at the moment the train passed the signal, the fireman was putting coal into firebox and discovered the water level was low, so he did not notice that the signal was in the "stop" position, even though checking the signals was part of his duty. Moreover, the head guard likewise overlooked that "stop" signal. Indeed, as he later mentioned, he remembered that train 608 normally passed train 653 at Stéblová station, but he assumed the passing had been moved to the next station.