Mason dies after being hit by PNR train in Tondo

(Updated 12:50 p.m.) A 42-year-old mason died Wednesday morning hours after being hit by a Philippine National Railways train in Manila's Tondo district, a television report said.

A report on GMA News TV's Balitanghali said the victim, identified as Max Padon of Fairview, Quezon City, died past 10 in the morning while being treated at the Ospital ng Tundo. His feet were initially cut off after suffering severe injuries due to the incident.

Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo earlier reported that Padon was on his way to have breakfast before work when he crossed the railroad crossing on Abad Santos Street.

An initial investigation showed Padon was crossing the railroad near the corner of Abad Santos and Antipolo Streets at about 7 a.m. when he slipped and the southbound PNR train hit him, severely injuring his feet. The train was heading for the Bicutan area from the Tutuban station in Manila.

The television report said Paul de Quiroz, media consultant of PNR, advised the family of the victim to go to office of the operations manager of PNR in Tutuban for the death benefits.

De Quiroz was also quoted as asking the public to heed the road signals to avoid similar incident.

“Mabagal na yung tren kasi pag-level crossing ordinarily nagso-slow down at grabe yung busina nyan. Tumawid siya eksakto nung me dumadadan na tren, talagang maingay yung tren namin, you won't miss it, makikita mo siya, maririnig mo sya,” he said.

“Dapat i-assume ng tao na may dadaan na tren, tumingin sa left and right, makinig bago tumawid kasi very dangerous talaga yung tracks namin. Sana tulungan rin kami ng media sa pag-remind sa mga tao ng mga ganitong babala,” he added.

Last April 7, a man was killed after being hit and dragged by a PNR train in Manila's Sampaloc district.

In that incident, the man was dragged several meters. — Joel Locsin and Amita Legaspi /LBG, GMA News