MRT: Crash victims would have been exposed to more danger if allowed to get out of coaches

The spokesman of Metro Rail Transit management said their personnel did not allow the passengers of the coaches that derailed on Wednesday to get out of the train because letting them walk on the tracks would have exposed them to danger and harm.

 

In a report from GMA's “State of the Nation” program on Wednesday, MRT Spokesman Atty. Hernando Cabrera said they were only following their standard operating procedures (SOP).

 

“Unang una, ang SOP natin kapag tumitigil ang isang tren sa pagitan ng dalawang istasyon [ay] bawal na magbaba ng pasahero,” Cabrera said.

 

“Two things. Kasi, masyadong mataas 'yung floor clearance ng ating tren doon sa riles. More than a meter. Para makababa ang ating mga pasahero kailangan nila tumalon. Pangalawa, bawal din na maglakad ang mga pasahero sa riles kasi napakadelikado,” he added.

 

Cabrera said the crash victims could trip while walking on the tracks filled with asphalt and bent metal.

 

He also said that because the MRT's northbound line was still operating, the passenger would have been hit by the coaches running on that line.

 

Electrocution was another danger. Cabrera said the tracks were not safe because there are 750-volt cables along the tracks.

 

“Basically napaka-delikado na magbaba ng pasahero at hayaan natin silang maglakad sa riles kaya nga ang ating SOP na pinaka safe is magpapadala tayo ng bakanteng tren. Ikakabit siya doon sa sirang tren at itutulak niya,” Cabrera said.

 

“Ito'y nakasalalay lahat doon sa coupling system. Ang naging problema natin 'yung inaasahan nating coupling system yun ang bumigay so yun ang gusto natin imbestigahan ngayon kung bakit ito bumigay,” he added.

 

At least 36 were injured after an MRT coach went out of control and rammed through the station barrier at the Pasay City end of the MRT EDSA line.  — Andrei Medina/ELR, GMA News