For the folks who grumbled and moaned about delayed train services on the East-West Line yesterday, bet you’re not feeling so good now. An SMRT in his late 50s had to have his foot amputated due to an accident on the train tracks near Joo Koon MRT station in the wee hours of the morning on Wednesday.
The Straits Times reported that the man is in stable condition following an operation, and is currently in the National University Hospital’s intensive care unit. According to his sons, the man is in a state of shock.
SMRT declined to elaborate on how the accident happened but assured that internal investigations are being conducted. According to ST though, it is believed that he was injured by a track tamping machine, which is used to pack the crushed stones (known as track ballast) underneath the railroad ties.
The accident involving the engineering vehicle took place about 4:10am yesterday, injuring the SMRT employee while maintenance work was carried out near the MRT station. He was conveyed conscious to NUH soon after.
SMRT’s engineering and operations teams conducted further checks on the track, delaying the start of the train service between Gul Circle and Boon Lay MRT stations by an hour. Free regular and bus bridging services were activated for commuters in the meantime.
“Workplace safety is a priority for us, and we will be carrying a full investigation into the accident,” wrote SMRT in a statement.
Instead of angry comments about delayed train services, most folks wished the man well.
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