Train kills man crossing MRT tracks

MANILA, Philippines - A man who reportedly tried to cross the elevated railway of the Metro Rail Transit was killed when he was hit by a train near the MRT’s Magallanes station yesterday morning.

The man suffered head injuries and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Ospital ng Makati, according to Makati City police chief Senior Superintendent Manuel Lukban.

The unidentified man was described to be fair-skinned and clad in a red striped shirt and shorts.

MRT general manager Al Vitangcol said the rail system was just beginning its morning operations at around 5 a.m. when the accident took place, ABS-CBN reported.

He said in a statement that the first train from North Avenue to Taft Avenue accidentally hit a “taong grasa” or homeless person between the MRT’s Magallanes and Taft Avenue stations at around 5 a.m.

Vitangcol said the accident prompted the MRT to suspend operations from its Boni to Taft stations. The MRT’s operations returned to normal at past 9 a.m.

He said they will investigate how the victim was able to enter the rail line despite the MRT’s high fences. He added that they will conduct an internal investigation to determine who should be held liable for the break in security.

The MRT and the Department of Transportation and Communications will pursue the installation of “intrusion detection systems” to prevent similar incidents, Vitangcol said.

Last month, a man jumped into the path of an oncoming train at the MRT’s Guadalupe station, also in Makati. The man was dragged for about 30 meters and was already dead when rescue workers arrived.