SMRT employee injured at Joo Koon Station causing EWL service to start late
An SMRT employee suffered foot injuries while carrying out maintenance work near Joo Koon MRT Station at about 4.10am on Wednesday morning (12 December).
The Singapore Civil Defence Force was activated to help take the employee to the hospital, and as the process required some time, it delayed the start of train service between Gul Circle and Boon Lay stations on the East-West Line in both directions.
Margaret Teo, SMRT’s vice-president for corporate communications, said, “This is an unfortunate incident and investigations are on-going. Our immediate concern is for our maintenance staff who is being treated at the hospital, and we are providing the necessary care and support to him and his family.
“Our staff’s right foot was injured as he was on track preparing for an engineering vehicle to move back to the depot after completion of maintenance works this morning.
“Workplace safety is a priority for us, and the maintenance teams observed a safety timeout this morning to remind them of the importance of safety.”
Train service began at 6.20am
After the injured was taken to hospital, SMRT’s engineering and operations teams conducted further checks on the track before service between Gul Circle and Boon Lay MRT stations was able to commence at 6.20am.
The train service from Boon Lay to Gul Circle, in the direction of Tuas Link, typically begins at 5.21am on weekdays, and at 5.26am from Gul Circle to Boon Lay, in the direction of Pasir Ris.
SMRT activated free regular and bus bridging services between the two MRT stations for commuters as an alternative early in the morning, while announcements were also made to keep commuters informed.
SMRT apologised to commuters whose morning commute was affected.
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