SMRT worker has foot amputated after accident at Joo Koon station
The SMRT worker who was injured while carrying out maintenance work on the MRT tracks near Joo Koon station on early Wednesday morning (12 December) has had his right foot amputated.
According to The Straits Times, the employee was hurt by a track tamping vehicle, which is used to compact the ballast that supports the tracks.
The accident occurred at around 4.10am on Wednesday, and the Singapore Civil Defence Force was activated to help take the employee – who is a man in his 50s – to the hospital. It delayed the start of train service between Gul Circle and Boon Lay stations on the East-West Line in both directions.
In stable condition while warded in ICU
The worker was conscious when taken to the National University Hospital. His two sons, who declined to be named, told The Straits Times that their father is in a stable condition while warded in the hospital’s intensive care unit. They added that he could chat normally to family members and colleagues, but was still in a state of shock.
Margaret Teo, SMRT’s vice-president for corporate communications, said in a media statement on Wednesday, “This is an unfortunate incident and investigations are ongoing. 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.”
Most serious SMRT accident since 2016
Wednesday’s accident is the most serious of its kind since two SMRT trainees were killed by an oncoming train near Pasir Ris station in March 2016.
Investigations later found that safety protocols which would have prevented their deaths were not in place, and SMRT was fined a record $400,000 for the accident.
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