PNR: 3 train-car smashups in 1 day

MANILA, Philippines - There were three collisions involving Philippine National Railways trains and motorists crossing the PNR tracks Friday, an official said yesterday.

PNR general manager Junio Ragragio Jr. said the first accident happened at past noon Friday, when the driver of a Starex van (XXT-605) ignored the warning signals of PNR crossing keepers at the Bicutan crossing. The van’s rear was damaged.

At around 5:26 p.m., a public utility jeep (TYM-151) was hit when it passed through an illegal crossing in Barangay Sampaloc, Taguig City.

A Toyota Innova driven through another illegal crossing in Bayanan, Muntinlupa City, was hit at around 7:50 p.m. A bystander was hurt in the last collision, Ragragio said.

“These are the problems that the PNR have been constantly and seriously addressing. Despite of all the necessary precautions that we have implemented in order to warn motorists and bystanders to sincerely consider the possible repercussions and dangers every time our trains pass through these railway crossings, many still ignore it,” he said.

Ragragio said they have put crossing keeper personnel at all road and railway intersections and have PNR train drivers constantly blow their horns during the run to alert motorists and pedestrians.

“It seems that many of our motorists have forgotten the old adage of ‘stop, look and listen.’ What aggravates this situation is that there are illegal crossings along the rail tracks. I hope that local government units where our rail tracks traverse their jurisdictions will also help in policing these illegal crossings. This can be achieved by either blocking these roads or putting the necessary safety warning signs. It would be best if they will coordinate with the PNR,” Ragragio said.