Teen who took video of moving train from MRT tracks arrested for wilfully endangering safety of passengers
A 17-year-old youth will be charged on July 3 for his suspected involvement in a case of wilfully endangering the safety of poeple travelling on the railway.
The police had received a report on June 10 that somone had trespassed onto the MRT tracks at Upper Changi Road East between Tanah Merah and Simei MRT stations.
On that day, a video was posted online showing an MRT train in operation at night, right in front of the trespassing video-taker, who approached the moving train just an arm's length away.
In response to a Stomp query at the time, SMRT Trains president Lam Sheau Kai said SMRT was aware of the incident.
"The video footage was captured between Simei and Tanah Merah stations where nearby construction works are ongoing for new viaducts connecting to the future East Coast Integrated Depot," said Mr Lam.
"We take a serious view of this incident, as track trespassing poses severe safety risks. Such reckless actions not only endanger the individual but can also cause service disruptions, affecting many commuters.
"When emergency brakes are applied, there is also a risk of causing injury to commuters onboard the train.
"We have reported the incident to the police and are co-operating with their investigation."
The police said in a statement on July 2 that through ground enquiries and follow-up investigations, officers from Bedok Police Division established the identity of the teen and arrested him on July 1.
Following police's identification of the teenager's alleged point of entry, the Land Transport Authority took immediate action to enhance security measures at the location to prevent similar incidents from re-occurring.
The boy will be charged with wilfully endangering safety, which is punishable with an imprisonment term of up to five years, a fine of up to $10,000 or both.
He will also be charged with criminal trespass, which is punishable with an imprisonment term of up to three months, a fine of up to $1,500 or both.
