More than 15,000 train passengers were delayed yesterday after a southbound train hit and killed a pedestrian who was trespassing on the railway crossing.
The Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) said the accident occurred at 6:35am when a southbound Chukuang Express train hit a pedestrian who tried to run through the railway crossing between Banciao (板橋) and Shulin (樹林) stations.
The TRA had originally planned to arrange another Tzuchiang Express train to help transport the passengers. However, because police processed the accident quickly, the agency reopened the east railway line at 7:13am. The Chukuang Express restarted its service at 7:30am.
The entire railway service resumed normal operations at 9:14am, the TRA said. Statistics showed that 38 trains and 155,000 passengers had been affected by the accident by 9:30am.
As of yesterday, 57 railway accidents have occurred this year, including yesterday’s incident. These accidents resulted in deaths of 51 people and injured 11, according to information provided by the TRA.
Last year, 49 railway accidents were recorded, resulting in 54 deaths and 31 injuries.
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