SINGAPORE - Two SMRT maintenance staff were killed in an accident
along the train track near Pasir Ris MRT station on Tuesday (March
22) morning, with train services on the East-West Line between
Tanah Merah and Pasir Ris stations suspended temporarily.
Mr Patrick Nathan, SMRT's vice-president for corporate information
and communications, said in a statement that the accident occurred
at around 11.10am near a servicing point.
"The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was immediately activated
and they have confirmed that the two SMRT staff have passed away.
We convey our deepest condolences to their families and will
be providing support to them at this very difficult time," Mr
Nathan added.
"We are working with the police to conduct a detailed investigation
into this accident."
The rail operator first tweeted about the track incident at
11.20am.
It said service was expected to resume at 12.15pm, which was
subsequently revised to 12.30pm.
Private tutor Kay Tan, who was walking past Pasir Ris station on
the way home, said she saw close to 20 SCDF and police officers, as
well as SMRT staff, gathered on the tracks near a train, which had
stopped just outside the station.
"I'm not sure if it was the head or tail-end of the train, but they
appeared to be trying to extricate something from underneath it,"
said the 25-year-old.
A photo tweeted by user Pinch showed train passengers walking on
the tracks in the direction of the station.
Beautiful day for a walk, don't you think? #SMRT #PasirRis (@
Pasir Ris MRT Station (EW1)) https://t.co/grcA1uqUaB pic.twitter.com/sz2Q7S6CeR
— Pinch
(@iampinch) March 22,
2016
SMRT said in a later tweet at 11.30am that regular bus
services between the two stations have been made free.
Free shuttle bus services were also available to
ferry affected passengers.
ST
