Oct 31, 2010
Injured LRT technician dies
By Kon Xin Hua
THE Light Rapid Transit (LRT) technician who had head injuries and needed a leg amputation as a result of a train accident while attending to an electrical fault, died last Friday.
Mr Chia Teck Heng, 48, was at a designated walkway, checking the power rail between Phoenix and Bukit Panjang stations, when an oncoming train hit him at Phoenix station at about 8am on Oct 17.
The 1.5m wide walkway runs throughout the LRT system, between the two rail tracks, and has yellow demarcation lines on both sides.
The Sunday Times understands that train operator SMRT has strict regulations on staff access when they go onto the tracks. Its operation control centre approves every access, which is closely monitored.
Details are as yet unclear as to the cause of death and investigations are ongoing.
Mr Chia had severe injuries to his head and legs. His right leg was amputated. He was warded at the National University Hospital's surgical intensive care unit. But his condition worsened, and he died at about 5.45pm last Friday without emerging from a coma.