Pasir Ris rail accident: Difference between revisions

Pasir Ris rail accident
Pasir Ris rail accident
	Tracks leading out of Pasir Ris station, where the accident took place. The accident occurred at the track switch in the distance.
Details
Date	22 March 2016; 8 years ago
Location	Near Pasir Ris MRT station
Country	Singapore
Line	East–West MRT line
Operator	SMRT Trains
Incident type	Collision with track workers on track
Cause	Human error, failure to comply with safety procedures
Statistics
Trains	1 Kawasaki Heavy Industries C151
Deaths	2 (SMRT staff)
Injured	0

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The Pasir Ris rail accident occurred on 22 March 2016 at the track switch near Pasir Ris station in Pasir Ris, Singapore on the East–West Line (EWL). A train ran over and killed two SMRT Trains track workers, Nasrulhudin Majumudin and Muhammad Asyraf Ahmad Buhari, who were trainees and part of a team of 15 investigating a track point fault machine near the station.^[2]^[3]

The engineer who led the inspection team was charged with negligence causing death under the Penal Code^[4] and was subsequently sentenced to 4 weeks in jail.^[5] SMRT Trains and one member of SMRT management were charged for violating the Workplace Safety and Health Act for lapses which led to the accident,^[4] and were fined $400,000^[6] and $55,000 respectively.^[7] On 20 July 2018, the Land Transport Authority fined the operator S$1.9 million (US$1.41 million) for this incident and the Bishan tunnel flooding.^[8]^[9]

Incident

The incident occurred at 11:10 a.m. on 22 March 2016, when a team of 15 track personnel was deployed to a track switch near Pasir Ris station to investigate a high voltage alarm that indicated a possible track point fault.^[10]^[11] The team walked on the side walkway beside the tracks in a single file towards the track point equipment. The two workers, Nasrulhudin Majumudin and Muhammad Asyraf Ahmad Buhari, were second and third in line.^[11]^[12] Both were trainees in SMRT Trains and the task was part of their on-the-job training.^[11]^[13] No speed restriction or ATC-code restriction was imposed on that section of track and there was no railway watchman to warn train captains of the presence of workers on track.^[1]^[14] The train involved was on automatic mode and maintained a speed of 60 kilometres per hour (37 mph).^[1]

The team had to cross over the third rail supplying trains power to access the signaling equipment. The team's supervisor, Majumudin and Buhari were already crossing over the rail when the senior officer in the team noticed the train and yelled "Train is coming! The train is coming!" The train driver noticed the track workers and applied the emergency brakes. However, the train struck both Majumudin and Buhari. Majumudin was crushed, while Buhari was flung to the track.^[11] Both personnel suffered severe injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene. Service between Tanah Merah station and Pasir Ris was suspended as a result for more than two hours, affecting 10,000 commuters.^[10]

Investigation

Investigations by SMRT Corporation revealed that there was no request to impose the safety code before the inspection team went on track to investigate the high voltage alarm.^[15] The engineer did not liaise with the duty station manager on when to impose the safety code and hence did not impose the safety code before the team was supposed to leave the station platform. The inspection team walked to the work site instead of taking a designated train to send them there. A standard printed sign to warn train drivers that there are works in progress was not displayed but a handwritten sign was displayed with no indication of personnel working on track ahead.^[15]

Aftermath

After an internal investigation, SMRT fired both the engineer who led the track team and the train driver and also disciplined the staff involved for their role in the incident. The firing of both employees attracted online controversy, with Singaporeans on social media questioning whether it was the right decision.^[16] On 2 December 2016, SMRT Trains, the director of control operations and the SMRT engineer who led the track team were charged in court for the incident.^[17]^[18] Upon investigation, it was revealed that safety protocols were not implemented that would have prevented the train from entering the worksite.^[19]

The engineer who led the inspection team was charged with negligence causing death under the Penal Code^[20] and was subsequently sentenced to four weeks in jail after he pleaded guilty to that charge.^[15]

SMRT Trains and one member of SMRT management were charged for violating the Workplace Safety and Health Act for lapses which led to the accident, ^[20] and were fined $400,000^[3] and $55,000^[2] respectively after they both pleaded guilty to their charges.

In July 2018, SMRT was fined S$1.9 million by the LTA for the incident and the tunnel flooding incident at Bishan MRT Station.^[21]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Tan, Christopher (26 April 2016). "Safety lapses cause of fatal accident: SMRT". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
^ ^a ^b Chong, Elena (29 September 2017). "SMRT Trains director of control operations fined $55,000 over fatal track accident". The Straits Times. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
^ ^a ^b Chong, Elena (28 February 2017). "SMRT Trains fined $400k for workplace safety lapse which resulted in two deaths". The Straits Times. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
^ ^a ^b Ng, Kelly (2 December 2016). "SMRT charged over fatal accident". Today. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017. SMRT Trains and its director of control operations, Teo Wee Kiat, who is still employed by the company, were charged with failing to take necessary measures to ensure workers' safety under the Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSHA). Lim Say Heng, who was in charge of the work team that went onto the tracks that fateful day, was charged with causing death by a negligent act under the Penal Code.
^ Tan, Tam Mei (12 March 2018). "Engineer who led SMRT trainees onto tracks in 2016 fatal rail accident jailed for 4 weeks". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 8 October 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
^ Chong, Elena (28 February 2017). "SMRT Trains fined $400k for workplace safety lapse which resulted in two deaths". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
^ Chong, Elena (29 September 2017). "SMRT Trains director of control operations fined $55,000 over fatal track accident". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
^ "SMRT to be fined S$1.9 million for Pasir Ris fatal accident, flooding". Channel NewsAsia. 20 July 2018. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
^ "SMRT to be fined S$1.9m for two rail incidents". TODAYonline. 22 March 2016. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
^ ^a ^b "2 SMRT staff dead in accident near Pasir Ris station". Channel NewsAsia. 22 March 2016. Archived from the original on 5 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Seow, Bei Yi (24 March 2016). "SMRT track accident at Pasir Ris: Trainee barely escaped as best friend was killed". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
^ Seow, Bei Yi; Lim, Adrian; Driscoll, Shea (22 March 2016). "SMRT accident: 2 men were part of group of 15 led by supervisor and walking facing oncoming train". The Straits Times. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ Lee, Min Kok; Seow, Beiyi; Lim, Adrian (22 March 2016). "2 SMRT staff killed in accident were Singaporeans aged 24 and 26 and undergoing on-the-job training". The Straits Times. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ Paige, Vanessa (28 February 2017). "SMRT fined S$400,000 for safety lapses leading to fatal accident near Pasir Ris station". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
^ ^a ^b ^c Tan, Tam Mei (12 March 2018). "Engineer who led SMRT trainees onto tracks in 2016 fatal rail accident jailed for 4 weeks". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 8 October 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
^ "Online flak for SMRT after sacking of 2 staff involved in Pasir Ris accident". Today. 14 September 2016. Archived from the original on 22 November 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
^ Chong, Elena (2 December 2016). "SMRT, 2 others charged over fatal track accident". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 8 October 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
^ "Backgrounder: What you need to know about the fatal SMRT accident in March". TODAYonline. 1 December 2016. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
^ "Records show procedures not fully followed in fatal accident: SMRT". TODAYonline. 23 March 2016. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
^ ^a ^b Ng, Kelly (2 December 2016). "SMRT charged over fatal accident". Today. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017. SMRT Trains and its director of control operations, Teo Wee Kiat, who is still employed by the company, were charged with failing to take necessary measures to ensure workers' safety under the Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSHA). Lim Say Heng, who was in charge of the work team that went onto the tracks that fateful day, was charged with causing death by a negligent act under the Penal Code.
^ "LTA fines SMRT S$1.9m for fatal rail accident, tunnel flooding incident". Today. Retrieved 2 October 2023.

[st-safety-1] Tan, Christopher (26 April 2016). "Safety lapses cause of fatal accident: SMRT". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.

[:0-2] Chong, Elena (29 September 2017). "SMRT Trains director of control operations fined $55,000 over fatal track accident". The Straits Times. Retrieved 16 December 2023.

[:1-3] Chong, Elena (28 February 2017). "SMRT Trains fined $400k for workplace safety lapse which resulted in two deaths". The Straits Times. Retrieved 16 December 2023.

[smrt-charged22-4] Ng, Kelly (2 December 2016). "SMRT charged over fatal accident". Today. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017. SMRT Trains and its director of control operations, Teo Wee Kiat, who is still employed by the company, were charged with failing to take necessary measures to ensure workers' safety under the Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSHA). Lim Say Heng, who was in charge of the work team that went onto the tracks that fateful day, was charged with causing death by a negligent act under the Penal Code.

[5] Tan, Tam Mei (12 March 2018). "Engineer who led SMRT trainees onto tracks in 2016 fatal rail accident jailed for 4 weeks". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 8 October 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.

[6] Chong, Elena (28 February 2017). "SMRT Trains fined $400k for workplace safety lapse which resulted in two deaths". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 24 October 2023.

[7] Chong, Elena (29 September 2017). "SMRT Trains director of control operations fined $55,000 over fatal track accident". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 24 October 2023.

[CNA_2018-8] "SMRT to be fined S$1.9 million for Pasir Ris fatal accident, flooding". Channel NewsAsia. 20 July 2018. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.

[TODAYonline_2016-9] "SMRT to be fined S$1.9m for two rail incidents". TODAYonline. 22 March 2016. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.

[cna-day-10] "2 SMRT staff dead in accident near Pasir Ris station". Channel NewsAsia. 22 March 2016. Archived from the original on 5 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.

[friend-11] Seow, Bei Yi (24 March 2016). "SMRT track accident at Pasir Ris: Trainee barely escaped as best friend was killed". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.

[Auto_2016_q743-12] Seow, Bei Yi; Lim, Adrian; Driscoll, Shea (22 March 2016). "SMRT accident: 2 men were part of group of 15 led by supervisor and walking facing oncoming train". The Straits Times. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[Auto_2016_z401-13] Lee, Min Kok; Seow, Beiyi; Lim, Adrian (22 March 2016). "2 SMRT staff killed in accident were Singaporeans aged 24 and 26 and undergoing on-the-job training". The Straits Times. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[smrt-fine-14] Paige, Vanessa (28 February 2017). "SMRT fined S$400,000 for safety lapses leading to fatal accident near Pasir Ris station". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.

[:2-15] Tan, Tam Mei (12 March 2018). "Engineer who led SMRT trainees onto tracks in 2016 fatal rail accident jailed for 4 weeks". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 8 October 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.

[16] "Online flak for SMRT after sacking of 2 staff involved in Pasir Ris accident". Today. 14 September 2016. Archived from the original on 22 November 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.

[Chong_20162-17] Chong, Elena (2 December 2016). "SMRT, 2 others charged over fatal track accident". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 8 October 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2020.

[SMRT_Today_background2-18] "Backgrounder: What you need to know about the fatal SMRT accident in March". TODAYonline. 1 December 2016. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.

[TODAYonline_2016_procedures_not_followed-19] "Records show procedures not fully followed in fatal accident: SMRT". TODAYonline. 23 March 2016. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.

[smrt-charged2-20] Ng, Kelly (2 December 2016). "SMRT charged over fatal accident". Today. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017. SMRT Trains and its director of control operations, Teo Wee Kiat, who is still employed by the company, were charged with failing to take necessary measures to ensure workers' safety under the Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSHA). Lim Say Heng, who was in charge of the work team that went onto the tracks that fateful day, was charged with causing death by a negligent act under the Penal Code.

[21] "LTA fines SMRT S$1.9m for fatal rail accident, tunnel flooding incident". Today. Retrieved 2 October 2023.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
 {{Short description|Rail accident in Singapore}}
 {{Infobox public transit accident
@@ Line 6: / Line 7: @@
 | image_size          =
 | image_alt           =
-| caption             = Tracks leading out of Pasir Ris station, where the accident took place. The accident occurred at track switch in the distance.
+| caption             = Tracks leading out of Pasir Ris station, where the accident took place. The accident occurred at the track switch in the distance.
 <!-- Maps           -->
 | image_map           =
@@ Line 28: / Line 29: @@
 | location_dist_mi    =
 | country             = Singapore
-| line                = [[East West MRT Line]]
+| line                = [[East–West MRT line]]
 | operator            = [[SMRT Trains]]
 | owner               =
 | service             =
 | type                = Collision with track workers on track
-| cause               = [[Human error]], failure to comply with safety procedures<ref name="st-safety">{{cite news|last1=Tan|first1=Christopher|title=Safety lapses cause of fatal accident: SMRT|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/safety-lapses-cause-of-fatal-accident-smrt|access-date=17 November 2017|work=Straits Times|date=26 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117123133/http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/safety-lapses-cause-of-fatal-accident-smrt|archive-date=17 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
+| cause               = [[Human error]], failure to comply with safety procedures<ref name="st-safety">{{cite news|last1=Tan|first1=Christopher|title=Safety lapses cause of fatal accident: SMRT|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/safety-lapses-cause-of-fatal-accident-smrt|access-date=17 November 2017|work=The Straits Times|date=26 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117123133/http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/safety-lapses-cause-of-fatal-accident-smrt|archive-date=17 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
 <!-- Statistics     -->
 | bus                 =
@@ Line 53: / Line 54: @@
 }}
-The '''Pasir Ris rail accident''' was a train accident that occurred on 22 March 2016, at the [[track switch]] near [[Pasir Ris MRT station]] in [[Pasir Ris]], [[Singapore]], on the [[East-West MRT Line]]. A [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries C151|C151 train]] struck two [[SMRT Trains]] trainee track workers at around 60&nbsp;km/h, resulting in their deaths. The two deceased workers were working on a track point machine at that time as part of a team of 15 track personnel. This incident was "the worst train accident" in [[Singapore MRT]]'s history.<ref name="fine-director">{{cite news|last1=Vanessa|first1=Paige|title=SMRT Trains director fined S$55,000 for fatal Pasir Ris track accident|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/smrt-trains-director-fined-s-55-000-for-fatal-pasir-ris-track-9263332|access-date=17 November 2017|work=[[Channel NewsAsia]]|date=29 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117174550/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/smrt-trains-director-fined-s-55-000-for-fatal-pasir-ris-track-9263332|archive-date=17 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="smrt-fine">{{cite news|last1=Paige|first1=Vanessa|title=SMRT fined S$400,000 for safety lapses leading to fatal accident near Pasir Ris station|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/smrt-fined-s-400-000-for-safety-lapses-leading-to-fatal-accident-7616972|access-date=17 November 2017|work=Channel NewsAsia|date=28 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117122437/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/smrt-fined-s-400-000-for-safety-lapses-leading-to-fatal-accident-7616972|archive-date=17 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
+The '''Pasir Ris rail accident''' occurred on 22 March 2016 at the [[track switch]] near [[Pasir Ris MRT station|Pasir Ris station]] in [[Pasir Ris]], [[Singapore]] on the [[East–West MRT line|East–West Line]] (EWL). A [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries C151|train]] ran over and killed two [[SMRT Trains]] track workers, Nasrulhudin Majumudin and Muhammad Asyraf Ahmad Buhari, who were trainees and part of a team of 15 investigating a track point fault machine near the station.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Chong |first=Elena | title=SMRT Trains director of control operations fined $55,000 over fatal track accident | website=The Straits Times | date=29 September 2017 | url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/smrt-trains-director-of-control-operations-fined-55000-over-fatal-track-accident | access-date=16 December 2023}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Chong |first=Elena | title=SMRT Trains fined $400k for workplace safety lapse which resulted in two deaths | website=The Straits Times | date=28 February 2017 | url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/smrt-trains-fined-400k-for-workplace-safety-lapse-which-resulted-in-two | access-date=16 December 2023}}</ref>
+The engineer who led the inspection team was charged with [[Negligent homicide|negligence causing death]] under the [[Penal Code (Singapore)|Penal Code]]<ref name="smrt-charged22">{{cite news |last1=Ng |first1=Kelly |date=2 December 2016 |title=SMRT charged over fatal accident |url=http://www.todayonline.com/smrt-charged-over-fatal-accident |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117122655/http://www.todayonline.com/smrt-charged-over-fatal-accident |archive-date=17 November 2017 |access-date=17 November 2017 |work=Today |quote=SMRT Trains and its director of control operations, Teo Wee Kiat, who is still employed by the company, were charged with failing to take necessary measures to ensure workers’ safety under the Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSHA). Lim Say Heng, who was in charge of the work team that went onto the tracks that fateful day, was charged with causing death by a negligent act under the Penal Code.}}</ref> and was subsequently sentenced to 4 weeks in jail.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Tan |first1=Tam Mei |date=12 March 2018 |title=Engineer who led SMRT trainees onto tracks in 2016 fatal rail accident jailed for 4 weeks |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/engineer-who-led-smrt-trainees-onto-track-in-2016-fatal-rail-accident-jailed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008174255/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/engineer-who-led-smrt-trainees-onto-track-in-2016-fatal-rail-accident-jailed |archive-date=8 October 2019 |access-date=8 October 2019 |website=The Straits Times}}</ref> SMRT Trains and one member of SMRT management were charged for violating the [[Workplace Safety and Health Act]] for lapses which led to the accident,<ref name="smrt-charged22" /> and were fined $400,000<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chong |first=Elena |date=28 February 2017 |title=SMRT Trains fined $400k for workplace safety lapse which resulted in two deaths |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/smrt-trains-fined-400k-for-workplace-safety-lapse-which-resulted-in-two |access-date=24 October 2023 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}</ref> and $55,000 respectively.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chong |first=Elena |date=29 September 2017 |title=SMRT Trains director of control operations fined $55,000 over fatal track accident |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/smrt-trains-director-of-control-operations-fined-55000-over-fatal-track-accident |access-date=24 October 2023 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}</ref> On 20 July 2018, the Land Transport Authority fined the operator S$1.9 million (US${{ToUSD|1.9|Singapore|year=2018}} million) for this incident and the [[Bishan tunnel flooding]].<ref name="CNA 2018">{{cite web |date=20 July 2018 |title=SMRT to be fined S$1.9 million for Pasir Ris fatal accident, flooding |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/smrt-fined-1-9-million-for-pasir-ris-fatal-accident-flooding-10547928 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208022714/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/smrt-fined-1-9-million-for-pasir-ris-fatal-accident-flooding-10547928 |archive-date=8 December 2020 |access-date=8 December 2020 |website=Channel NewsAsia}}</ref><ref name="TODAYonline 2016">{{cite web |date=22 March 2016 |title=SMRT to be fined S$1.9m for two rail incidents |url=https://www.todayonline.com/content/smrt-be-fined-s19m-two-rail-incidents |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208121129/https://www.todayonline.com/content/smrt-be-fined-s19m-two-rail-incidents |archive-date=8 December 2020 |access-date=8 December 2020 |website=TODAYonline}}</ref>
-SMRT Trains and one member of SMRT management were charged for violating the [[Workplace Safety and Health Act]] that led to this accident, and were fined $400,000 and $55,000 respectively. The SMRT engineer who led the track team at the scene of the accident was dismissed from SMRT Trains and charged with [[negligent homicide|negligence causing death]] under the [[Penal Code (Singapore)|Penal Code]]. The SMRT engineer was thus jailed for four weeks.
 ==Incident==
-The incident occurred at 11:10&nbsp;a.m. on 22 March 2016, when a team of 15 track personnel was deployed to a track switch near Pasir Ris MRT station to investigate a high voltage alarm that indicated a possible track point fault.<ref name="friend">{{cite news|last1=Seow|first1=Bei Yi|title=SMRT track accident at Pasir Ris: Trainee barely escaped as best friend was killed|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/smrt-track-accident-at-pasir-ris-trainee-barely-escaped-as-best-friend-was-killed|access-date=17 November 2017|work=Straits Times|date=24 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117122935/http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/smrt-track-accident-at-pasir-ris-trainee-barely-escaped-as-best-friend-was-killed|archive-date=17 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The team of 15 track workers walked in a single file towards the track point equipment to investigate the problem, and was granted track access. The two deceased workers, Nasrulhudin Majumudin and Muhammad Asyraf Ahmad Buhari, were second and third in the team walking as a file on the sidewalk near the [[third rail]].<ref name="friend" /> Both were trainees in SMRT Trains.<ref name="friend" /> No [[speed restriction]] or ATC-code restriction was imposed on that section of track and there was no [[lookout|railway watchman]] to warn train captains of the presence of workers on track.<ref name="st-safety" /><ref name="smrt-fine" /> The train involved, trainset 073/074 (a [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries C151]]), was operated in automatic mode under [[Westinghouse Brake and Signal Company Ltd|Westinghouse ATC]] and maintained a speed of 60&nbsp;km/h.<ref name="st-safety" />
+The incident occurred at 11:10&nbsp;a.m. on 22 March 2016, when a team of 15 track personnel was deployed to a track switch near [[Pasir Ris MRT station|Pasir Ris station]] to investigate a high voltage alarm that indicated a possible track point fault.<ref name="cna-day"/><ref name="friend">{{cite news|last1=Seow|first1=Bei Yi|title=SMRT track accident at Pasir Ris: Trainee barely escaped as best friend was killed|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/smrt-track-accident-at-pasir-ris-trainee-barely-escaped-as-best-friend-was-killed|access-date=17 November 2017|work=The Straits Times|date=24 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117122935/http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/smrt-track-accident-at-pasir-ris-trainee-barely-escaped-as-best-friend-was-killed|archive-date=17 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The team walked on the side walkway beside the tracks in a single file towards the track point equipment. The two workers, Nasrulhudin Majumudin and Muhammad Asyraf Ahmad Buhari, were second and third in line.<ref name="friend" /><ref name="Auto 2016 q743">{{cite web | last1=Seow | first1=Bei Yi |last2=Lim |first2=Adrian|last3=Driscoll|first3= Shea | title=SMRT accident: 2 men were part of group of 15 led by supervisor and walking facing oncoming train | website=The Straits Times | date=22 March 2016 | url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/smrt-accident-2-men-were-part-of-group-of-15-led-by-supervisor-and-walking | access-date=16 October 2023}}</ref> Both were trainees in SMRT Trains and the task was part of their on-the-job training.<ref name="friend" /><ref name="Auto 2016 z401">{{cite web | last1=Lee |first1=Min Kok |last2=Seow| first2=Beiyi |last3=Lim |first3=Adrian | title=2 SMRT staff killed in accident were Singaporeans aged 24 and 26 and undergoing on-the-job training | website=The Straits Times | date=22 March 2016 | url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/2-smrt-staff-killed-in-accident-were-singaporeans-aged-24-and-26-and-undergoing | access-date=16 October 2023}}</ref> No [[speed restriction]] or ATC-code restriction was imposed on that section of track and there was no [[lookout|railway watchman]] to warn train captains of the presence of workers on track.<ref name="st-safety" /><ref name="smrt-fine">{{cite news |last1=Paige |first1=Vanessa |date=28 February 2017 |title=SMRT fined S$400,000 for safety lapses leading to fatal accident near Pasir Ris station |work=Channel NewsAsia |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/smrt-fined-s-400-000-for-safety-lapses-leading-to-fatal-accident-7616972 |url-status=live |access-date=17 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117122437/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/smrt-fined-s-400-000-for-safety-lapses-leading-to-fatal-accident-7616972 |archive-date=17 November 2017}}</ref> The train involved was on automatic mode and maintained a speed of {{convert|60|km/h|mph}}.<ref name="st-safety" />
-The two deceased personnel, one supervisor, and at least one more track worker crossed over the third rail and onto the track to access the [[railway signaling | signaling equipment]].<ref name="friend" /> A senior officer in the team then noticed the train and yelled "Train is coming! The train is coming!".<ref name="friend" /> Members of the team tried to jump back into the sidewalk to seek refuge. The train driver noticed the track workers and applied the [[Emergency brake (train)|emergency brake]]s. However, the train struck both Nasrulhudin and Muhammad Asyraf.<ref name="friend" /> Nasrulhudin was crushed under the train, while Muhammad Asyraf was impacted by the train.<ref name="friend" /> Both personnel suffered multiple injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.<ref name="cna-day">{{cite news|title=2 SMRT staff dead in accident near Pasir Ris station|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/2-smrt-staff-dead-in-accident-near-pasir-ris-station-8116400|access-date=17 November 2017|work=Channel NewsAsia|date=22 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105041047/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/2-smrt-staff-dead-in-accident-near-pasir-ris-station-8116400|archive-date=5 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Service between [[Tanah Merah MRT station|Tanah Merah]] and Pasir Ris was suspended as a result for 2.5 hours, affecting 10,000 commuters.<ref name="cna-day" />
+The team had to cross over the [[third rail]] supplying trains power to access the [[railway signaling | signaling equipment]]. The team's supervisor, Majumudin and Buhari were already crossing over the rail when the senior officer in the team noticed the train and yelled "Train is coming! The train is coming!" The train driver noticed the track workers and applied the [[Emergency brake (train)|emergency brake]]s. However, the train struck both Majumudin and Buhari. Majumudin was crushed, while Buhari was flung to the track.<ref name="friend" /> Both personnel suffered severe injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene. Service between [[Tanah Merah MRT station|Tanah Merah]] station and Pasir Ris was suspended as a result for more than two hours, affecting 10,000 commuters.<ref name="cna-day">{{cite news|title=2 SMRT staff dead in accident near Pasir Ris station|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/2-smrt-staff-dead-in-accident-near-pasir-ris-station-8116400|access-date=17 November 2017|work=Channel NewsAsia|date=22 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105041047/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/2-smrt-staff-dead-in-accident-near-pasir-ris-station-8116400|archive-date=5 November 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 ==Investigation==
-Investigations by SMRT arevealed that there was no request to impose the safety code before the inspection team went on track to investigate the high voltage alarm.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Auto |first=Hermes |date=2018-03-12 |title=Engineer who led SMRT trainees onto tracks in 2016 fatal rail accident jailed for 4 weeks {{!}} The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/engineer-who-led-smrt-trainees-onto-track-in-2016-fatal-rail-accident-jailed |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=www.straitstimes.com |language=en}}</ref> The engineer did not liaise with the duty station manager on when to impose the safety code and hence did not impose the safety code before the team was supposed to leave the station platform.<ref name=":0" /> The inspection team walked to the work site instead of taking a designated train to send them there.<ref name=":0" />
+Investigations by [[SMRT Corporation]] revealed that there was no request to impose the safety code before the inspection team went on track to investigate the high voltage alarm.<ref name=":2" /> The engineer did not liaise with the duty station manager on when to impose the safety code and hence did not impose the safety code before the team was supposed to leave the station platform. The inspection team walked to the work site instead of taking a designated train to send them there. A standard printed sign to warn train drivers that there are works in progress was not displayed but a handwritten sign was displayed with no indication of personnel working on track ahead.<ref name=":2" />
-A standard printed sign to warn train drivers that there are works in progress was not displayed but a handwritten sign was displayed with no indication of personnel working on track ahead.<ref name=":0" />
 == Aftermath ==
-After an internal investigation, SMRT dismissed both the engineer who led the track team and the train driver involved at the scene of the accident.<ref>{{cite news|title=2 SMRT staff, including train driver, sacked over fatal Pasir Ris accident|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/2-smrt-staff-including-train-driver-sacked-over-fatal-pasir-ris--7830336|access-date=24 November 2017|work=Channel NewsAsia|date=14 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035304/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/2-smrt-staff-including-train-driver-sacked-over-fatal-pasir-ris--7830336|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="st-charge">{{cite news|last1=Chong|first1=Elena|title=SMRT, 2 others charged over fatal track accident|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/smrt-2-others-charged-over-fatal-track-accident|access-date=24 November 2017|work=Straits Times|date=2 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922100442/http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/smrt-2-others-charged-over-fatal-track-accident|archive-date=22 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The sacking of both employees attracted online controversy, with Singaporeans on social media questioning whether it was fair to dismiss the train driver.<ref>{{cite news|title=Online flak for SMRT after sacking of 2 staff involved in Pasir Ris accident|url=http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/smrt-getting-flak-online-over-sacking-2-employees-involved-fatal-train-track-accident|access-date=24 November 2017|work=Today (newspaper)|date=14 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122192255/http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/smrt-getting-flak-online-over-sacking-2-employees-involved-fatal-train-track-accident|archive-date=22 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
+After an internal investigation, SMRT fired both the engineer who led the track team and the train driver and also disciplined the staff involved for their role in the incident. The firing of both employees attracted online controversy, with Singaporeans on social media questioning whether it was the right decision.<ref>{{cite news |date=14 September 2016 |title=Online flak for SMRT after sacking of 2 staff involved in Pasir Ris accident |work=Today |url=http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/smrt-getting-flak-online-over-sacking-2-employees-involved-fatal-train-track-accident |url-status=live |access-date=24 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122192255/http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/smrt-getting-flak-online-over-sacking-2-employees-involved-fatal-train-track-accident |archive-date=22 November 2017}}</ref> On 2 December 2016, [[SMRT Trains]], the director of control operations and the SMRT engineer who led the track team were charged in court for the incident.<ref name="Chong 20162">{{cite news |last=Chong |first=Elena |date=2 December 2016 |title=SMRT, 2 others charged over fatal track accident |website=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/smrt-2-others-charged-over-fatal-track-accident |url-status=live |access-date=8 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008174307/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/smrt-2-others-charged-over-fatal-track-accident |archive-date=8 October 2019}}</ref><ref name="SMRT Today background2">{{cite web |date=1 December 2016 |title=Backgrounder: What you need to know about the fatal SMRT accident in March |url=https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/backgrounder-what-you-need-know-about-fatal-smrt-accident-march |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208022644/https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/backgrounder-what-you-need-know-about-fatal-smrt-accident-march |archive-date=8 December 2020 |access-date=8 December 2020 |website=TODAYonline}}</ref> Upon investigation, it was revealed that safety protocols were not implemented that would have prevented the train from entering the worksite.<ref name="TODAYonline 2016 procedures not followed">{{cite web |date=23 March 2016 |title=Records show procedures not fully followed in fatal accident: SMRT |url=https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/records-show-procedures-not-fully-followed-fatal-accident-smrt?cid=h3_referral_inarticlelinks_03092019_todayonline |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208121131/https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/records-show-procedures-not-fully-followed-fatal-accident-smrt?cid=h3_referral_inarticlelinks_03092019_todayonline |archive-date=8 December 2020 |access-date=8 December 2020 |website=TODAYonline}}</ref>
-The engineer who led the inspection team was charged with [[negligent homicide|negligence causing death]] under the [[Penal Code (Singapore)|Penal Code]]<ref name="smrt-charged">{{cite news |last1=Ng |first1=Kelly |date=2 December 2016 |title=SMRT charged over fatal accident |work=Today (newspaper) |url=http://www.todayonline.com/smrt-charged-over-fatal-accident |url-status=live |access-date=17 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117122655/http://www.todayonline.com/smrt-charged-over-fatal-accident |archive-date=17 November 2017}}</ref> and was subsequently jailed for four weeks.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Tan |first1=Tam Mei |date=12 March 2018 |title=Engineer who led SMRT trainees onto tracks in 2016 fatal rail accident jailed for 4 weeks |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/engineer-who-led-smrt-trainees-onto-track-in-2016-fatal-rail-accident-jailed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008174255/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/engineer-who-led-smrt-trainees-onto-track-in-2016-fatal-rail-accident-jailed |archive-date=8 October 2019 |access-date=8 October 2019 |website=The Straits Times}}</ref>
+The engineer who led the inspection team was charged with [[Negligent homicide|negligence causing death]] under the [[Penal Code (Singapore)|Penal Code]]<ref name="smrt-charged2">{{cite news |last1=Ng |first1=Kelly |date=2 December 2016 |title=SMRT charged over fatal accident |work=Today |url=http://www.todayonline.com/smrt-charged-over-fatal-accident |url-status=live |access-date=17 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117122655/http://www.todayonline.com/smrt-charged-over-fatal-accident |archive-date=17 November 2017 |quote=SMRT Trains and its director of control operations, Teo Wee Kiat, who is still employed by the company, were charged with failing to take necessary measures to ensure workers’ safety under the Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSHA). Lim Say Heng, who was in charge of the work team that went onto the tracks that fateful day, was charged with causing death by a negligent act under the Penal Code.}}</ref> and was subsequently sentenced to four weeks in jail after he pleaded guilty to that charge.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last1=Tan |first1=Tam Mei |date=12 March 2018 |title=Engineer who led SMRT trainees onto tracks in 2016 fatal rail accident jailed for 4 weeks |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/engineer-who-led-smrt-trainees-onto-track-in-2016-fatal-rail-accident-jailed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008174255/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/engineer-who-led-smrt-trainees-onto-track-in-2016-fatal-rail-accident-jailed |archive-date=8 October 2019 |access-date=8 October 2019 |website=The Straits Times}}</ref>
-SMRT Trains and one member of SMRT management were then charged for violating the [[Workplace Safety and Health Act]] that led to this accident, and were fined $400,000 and $55,000 respectively.<ref name="fine-director" />
+SMRT Trains and one member of SMRT management were charged for violating the Workplace Safety and Health Act for lapses which led to the accident, <ref name="smrt-charged2" /> and were fined $400,000<ref name=":1" /> and $55,000<ref name=":0" /> respectively after they both pleaded guilty to their charges.
+In July 2018, SMRT was fined [[Singapore dollar|S$]]1.9 million by the LTA for the incident and the [[Bishan tunnel flooding|tunnel flooding incident]] at [[Bishan MRT station|Bishan MRT Station]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=LTA fines SMRT S$1.9m for fatal rail accident, tunnel flooding incident |url=https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/lta-fines-smrt-s19m-fatal-rail-accident-tunnel-flooding-incident |access-date=2 October 2023 |website=Today |language=en}}</ref>
 ==References==
 {{reflist}}
@@ Line 84: / Line 84: @@
 [[Category:2016 in Singapore]]
 [[Category:Accidents and incidents involving Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)]]
-[[Category:Rail accidents and incidents in Singapore]]
+[[Category:Railway accidents and incidents in Singapore]]
 [[Category:2016 disasters in Singapore]]
+[[Category:March 2016 events in Singapore]]