Two SMRT staff undergoing on-job training killed in accident

Two SMRT maintenance staff were killed in an accident along the train track near Pasir Ris MRT station on Tuesday (March 22^nd) morning, with train services on the East-West Line between Tanah Merah and Pasir Ris stations suspended for more than two hours. They were believed to have been hit by an oncoming train, reported The Straits Times. 

Mr. Patrick Nathan, SMRT's Vice President for Corporate Information and Communications, said that the accident occurred at around 11:10am near a servicing point. Singaporeans Nasrulhudin Najumudin, 26, and Muhammad Asyraf Ahmad Buhari, 24, joined the company in January this year and had been undergoing on-the-job training at the time of the accident, Mr. Nathan said in a later statement.

"Permission to access the track was authorised. Initial findings indicate that before the accident happened, the team was moving in a single file on the walkway beside the track, on the way to the location of the signalling equipment," said Mr. Nathan.

"We convey our deepest condolences to their families and are in touch with them to render support and assistance at this very difficult time. We are working with the police to conduct a detailed investigation into this accident. SMRT is reviewing all safety procedures in particular those that involve track access," he added.

In response to queries, a SCDF spokesman said it was alerted to the incident at 11:11am and dispatched a fire engine, two fire bikes, a red rhino, two ambulances and three support vehicles. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics, the spokesman added. 

Access to the station was blocked for more than two hours before it was reopened at close to 2:00pm, with SMRT staff stationed at the entrances to inform commuters to take the bus instead. A long queue was also spotted at the nearby taxi stand. At Tanah Merah MRT station, SMRT staff and police officers were seen managing crowds and giving advice to commuters affected by the service suspension. They also handed out tickets for a complimentary train ride. 

The rail operator first tweeted about the track incident at 11:20am. It said service was expected to resume at 12:15pm, which was subsequently revised to 12:30pm, then 12:45pm and later 1:15pm. Train service only resumed at close to 2:00pm, although SMRT warned commuters to expect an additional 10 minutes of travelling time. SMRT said in a tweet at 11:30am that regular bus services between the two stations have been made free. Free shuttle bus services were also available to ferry affected passengers.