Singapore News
Wednesday, 27 December 2006
Woman faints onto train track
Jasmine Yin
[email protected]
A YOUNG woman fainted and fell onto the train tracks at Jurong East
MRT station yesterday, just before a train drew into the
station.
But some quick thinking by another commuter and an SMRT employee
prevented what could have become another train-related
tragedy.
The North-South-line train was pulling into the
station at about 7pm when the woman, a Chinese in her 20s, fell
onto the tracks.
Fortunately, another commuter on the platform was quick to react
and activated the emergency stop plunger, and an SMRT employee, who
was patrolling the platform, called for assistance, an SMRT
spokesperson said.
The incoming train came to a halt just a few metres away from the
woman, after which about three people climbed down to the tracks to
lift her onto the platform, Mr Benny Tan, 43, told Today.
The police were called in and the woman, who suffered lacerations
on her head, was taken to the National University Hospital. By
then, she had regained consciousness.
Eyewitnesses said the woman, who had golden streaks in her hair,
had looked pale and had passed out without warning and fallen onto
the tracks.
Mr Lim Boon Liak, 37, said he heard a loud thud, followed by
screams from those at the scene.
An SMRT spokesperson said the train service at Jurong East was
disrupted for five minutes.
Mr Tan observed that the first-aid procedures at the station could
be improved.
"They could have paged for anyone who's a doctor to render
first-aid immediately, instead of just telling us that help was on
the way," he said.
"The SMRT staff were speaking on their walkie-talkies and trying to
control the crowd. But one good Samaritan who had helped her up
tended to her."
There are no safety barriers at the station, which was packed with
commuters and was wet and slippery due to the weather, Mr Tan
added.
"(SMRT) should put up safety barriers. It is not merely an issue of
cost. After all, so much was spent to build the entire MRT line.
Every life saved is important," he said.
