Woman jumps in front of MRT train, loses leg

MANILA, Philippines - A 28-year-old woman jumped in front of an approaching train at the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Shaw Boulevard station in Mandaluyong City before noon yesterday.

Doctors at the Polymedic General Hospital amputated Rica Roma Fernandez’s left leg, which was crushed by the southbound train before it came to a complete stop.

Doctors said Fernandez, a resident of Gen. T. De Leon, Valenzuela City, was in stable condition as of 3 p.m. yesterday.

MRT general manager Al Vitangcol said the incident disrupted MRT operations for about an hour, affecting at least 300,000 passengers.

Police investigators said they are still trying to interview Fernandez to determine why she jumped.

Following the incident, Light Railway Transit Authority spokesman Hernando Cabrera warned commuters that horseplay or trying to commit suicide on railroad tracks carries a punishment of two to 12 years in prison under Article 330 of the Revised Penal Code. – Non Alquitran, Rainier Allan Ronda