Probe into video leaks of MRT
accidents
Leong Wee Keat
[email protected]
THERE were no signs of blood, but the scenes still made viewers
flinch.
Two separate videos of individuals being run over by MRT trains are
making the rounds among Singapore's online community.
Even as the clips were removed from popular video hosting websites
YouTube and Metacafe yesterday, they quickly resurfaced on other
similar sites.
The SMRT confirmed yesterday that both clips were copies of its
closed circuit television (CCTV) footage that had captured the two
men being hit by trains at Yishun (picture) and Admiralty MRT
stations last December.
An SMRT spokesman said that investigations were underway to
determine how these unauthorised copies got into the public
domain.
"If any person is found
responsible, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken,"
she said.
"At SMRT, we are reviewing our
processes to ensure strict adherence to the instructions and
procedures in place to control access to such
material."
The first video, a 40-second clip, surfaced on the Internet earlier
this month. It shows a man being hit by a train at Yishun Station
on Dec 5.
The second, lasting 18 seconds, appeared online later, portraying
another man being struck by a train at Admiralty Station on Dec
2.
SMRT is working with the Police and the Land Transport Authority to
investigate how copies of the CCTV footage got online.
The public transport operator has also written to another site that
contains such material to remove the videos.
The SMRT spokesman added: "With
regard to the online circulation and posting of these videos, we
would like to advise members of the public not to circulate them as
they are unauthorised copies and are also distasteful and
disrespectful."
