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Man dies after being run over by train near Kallang MRT station

Commuters riding the train after office hours pass a public housing estate in Singapore May 5, 2014.  REUTERS/Edgar Su (SINGAPORE - Tags: REAL ESTATE BUSINESS TRANSPORT SOCIETY)
Commuters riding the train in Singapore. (Reuters file photo)

SINGAPORE — A man was found dead on the east-bound track near Kallang MRT station on Thursday night (25 February) after he was run over by a train, said the SMRT.

In a Facebook post, the transport operator said the incident happened on the East-West Line towards Pasir Ris. The incident halted train services between Bugis and Aljunied stations.

At about 9pm, a train captain reported hitting an object near Kallang MRT station, SMRT said. The station manager was sent on track and found a motionless man, about 150 metres from Kallang MRT station, it added.

Both Lavender and Kallang stations were subsequently closed.

SCDF and the police were immediately activated, said SMRT, adding that it is assisting the police with their investigations.

"We are saddened that the person was subsequently pronounced dead and we convey our deepest condolences to the family. SMRT Care Team was deployed to render assistance," SMRT added.

Over 80 staff were activated on ground to assist affected commuters.

The SCDF said it received a call for assistance at 9.35pm at 5 Sims Avenue, where Kallang MRT station is. A person was pronounced dead on the scene by its paramedic, it added, without providing further details on the deceased.

The police said they were notified of the incident at about 9.35pm. Foul play is not suspected based on preliminary investigations, the police added. Investigations into the fatal incident are ongoing.

The SMRT had announced the incident and train service disruption in a series of tweets as early as around 10pm. It also said that free regular and bridging services are available between the two stations.

Photos showing SCDF personnel, ambulances, and police cars at both stations were circulated on social media. A Twitter user also said an announcement to not board an affected train was broadcast.

Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Friday in a Facebook post that he received the "distressing news" about the incident yesterday evening.

"I know the public have questions. SMRT is working closely with the police in investigations, so there is a limit to what can be said publicly," Ong said.

The Sembawang GRC Member of Parliament (MP) also said there was a time when there were occasional incidents of people going onto the tracks from station platforms and for this reason, platform screen doors for above ground stations as well as underground ones were installed. Outside of the station, tracks are either on viaduct, underground or if at grade, fenced up, he added.

"In the meantime, SMRT is supporting the train captain and station manager, who while shaken by the incident, were calm and collected and handled the emergency situation well," Ong said.

Assistant secretary-general of National Trades Union Congress Melvin Yong said on Facebook on Thursday night that he is "deeply saddened" by the incident "where a person had entered the tunnel near the Lavender station and unfortunately lost his life".

The Radin Mas SMC MP added that the National Transport Workers' Union has reached out to affected rail workers.

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