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Fatal Pasir Ris MRT accident took place 150m from platform: SMRT

SINGAPORE — The fatal accident which killed two SMRT maintenance staff on Tuesday (March 22) morning took place about 150m away from the platform of the Pasir Ris station.

SCDF personnel at the scene of an accident near Pasir Ris Station on March 22, 2016, in which two SMRT maintenance workers were killed. Photo: Koh Mui Fong/TODAY

SCDF personnel at the scene of an accident near Pasir Ris Station on March 22, 2016, in which two SMRT maintenance workers were killed. Photo: Koh Mui Fong/TODAY

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SINGAPORE — The fatal accident which killed two SMRT maintenance staff on Tuesday (March 22) morning took place about 150m away from the platform of the Pasir Ris station.

The two men who were killed — Mr Nasrulhudin Najumudin, 26, and Mr Muhammad Asyraf Ahmad Buhari, 24 — were part of a team of 15 who had been investigating a "reported alarm from a condition monitoring device for signalling equipment", according to the transport operator.

(Click to enlarge)

Photos: SMRT

Speaking to the media on Tuesday evening, SMRT CEO Desmond Kuek said the duo were walking directly behind their supervisor, who was leading the team of 15, in a single file on the walkway beside the train track, towards the location of the signalling equipment.

 

Mr Nasrulhudin and Mr Muhammad Asyraf were hit by an incoming train entering the Pasir Ris station at about 60km per hour. No other member of the team was injured, said Mr Kuek.

He added: "Exactly how they got onto the track or close enough to the oncoming train that was moving in the direction opposite to them, is the issue that we're trying to establish with the witnesses."

However, TODAY understands that the two victims were on the other side of the track, away from the dedicated walkway for maintenance staff.

Mr Lee Ling Wee, managing director of SMRT Trains, told reporters that the team was undergoing "supervised activity", and that they had been given authorised access to the track. The team was supposed to ask permission for a second time - to switch off the power - before the accident took place at around 11.10am.

Investigations by the police and the Ministry of Manpower are ongoing to establish how the accident could have happened. The SMRT said it is reviewing all safety procedures in particular those that involve track access.

Mr Nasrulhudin and Mr Muhammad Asyraf were new employees who joined the SMRT only in January. The two Singaporeans were undergoing on-the-job training when the accident happened.

Commenting on the accident in a Facebook post, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan said the authorities are looking into the details of the accident to understand how it could have happened, as well as how safety procedures can be tightened.

"Our hearts are with the families and will do our best to support and assist them," he added.

 

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