Scholar killed by train

A Philippine National Railway (PNR) train claimed another life last Wednesday evening when a 14-year-old scholar fell on the tracks and was sideswiped in Makati City.

Traffic investigator PO3 Jose Javier said the body Joel Santos, a scholar of the Don Bosco Technical Foundation, was cut in two after being run over by a commuter train in South Magallanes.

Earlier in the day, an unidentified man committed suicide by lying down on the tracks, also in Makati City.

Santos, according to investigators from the Southern Traffic Division, was walking on the right side of the tracks on his way to a friend’s house at around 7 p.m. when he heard an incoming train, which was moving southbound.

Witnesses said Santos stopped and stood in front of a wooden trolley to let the train pass. However, the trolley wobbled and fell on him, caused him to lose his balance. He fell forward and was sideswiped by the passing train. His body was run over by the train’s right wheels. His remains was taken to the Areflor Funeral Parlor.

Meanwhile, Senior Traffic Officer 1 Alberto Ignacio of the Makati City Traffic Office said the first victim died at 6:20 a.m. last April 28.

The victim was lying on the railroad tracks near PNR Buendia Station in Barangay Pio del Pilar in Makati City just as a train with Body No. 302, operated by Rolando Manlapaz, was approaching.

The train had come from San Pedro Laguna. The victim was also run over by the train’s right wheels. The body was taken to the Rizal Funeral Homes.

Police Senior Inspector Estela Mesa Lomat, officer-in-charge of the Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU), said witnesses informed them that the victim was not a resident of Barangay Pio del Pilar.

"Before the incident, witnesses said they saw the victim kneeling in the middle of the railroad tracks, apparently in prayer," Lomat said.

Another witness tried to pull the victim off the tracks but he resisted.

"He was really decided on ending his life," the witness said.

Earlier this month, businessman and travel show pioneer Carlos Abrera was killed when he was hit by the southbound train as he was buying potted plants at a stall along the East Service Road in Western Bicutan, Taguig.

Police said five to eight train accidents take place every year.