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Lightning 'affected trackside equipment', did not hit train near Bedok station: SMRT

(Yahoo News Singapore file photo)
(Yahoo News Singapore file photo)

Lightning did not strike the westbound train that stalled near Bedok MRT station on Monday (20 November) afternoon but “affected trackside equipment” instead, said SMRT.

This was the conclusion arrived at following investigations conducted by the rail operator’s engineers, said SMRT spokesman Patrick Nathan in a statement on Tuesday.

“After the lightning incident, the train was immediately able to recover and move on its own power, moving passengers safely to Bedok station,” said Nathan. “At Bedok station, passengers alighted and the train was promptly withdrawn from service to allow for a thorough inspection by our engineers.”

He added that the train’s captain, who had been warded at Changi General Hospital following the incident, “has been assessed to be well and remains under observation”.

The captain had been on medical leave for two days prior to Monday’s lightning strike and had been admitted to hospital for observation as a “precautionary measure”.

Nathan emphasised that the safety of passengers and staff is of paramount importance to SMRT. He added that all SMRT trains are protected from lightning strikes by a Faraday Cage, which is an enclosure of conductive material that blocks electric fields and electric currents from entering the trains.

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