Lightning bolt did not strike MRT train & driver warded in hospital was previously on MC
The lightning strike affected trackside equipment instead.
By Sulaiman Daud | 3 hours
On Nov. 20, it was reported that a lightning strike had disrupted train services along the East West Line, between Paya Lebar and Tanah Merah MRT stations.
The train captain who felt unwell had to be taken to hospital by the SCDF.
Investigation concluded
It was initially reported that lightning had struck the MRT train itself, but SMRT have conducted an investigation and found that this was not the case. The lightning bolt had instead affected trackside equipment.
Here’s the statement, from SMRT’s Vice President of Corporate Communications Patrick Nathan:
“We have completed our investigations into the west-bound train that stalled as it was approaching Bedok MRT station yesterday. Our engineers, upon inspection, confirm that the train was not hit by lightning. Instead, lightning affected trackside equipment.
After the lightning incident, the train was immediately able to recover and move on its own power, moving passengers safely to Bedok station. At Bedok station, passengers alighted and the train was promptly withdrawn from service to allow for a thorough inspection by our engineers .
We would like to reiterate that passengers’ safety, as well as that of our staff, is of paramount importance to us. We wish to assure all passengers that it is safe to travel in our trains during a lightning storm because trains are protected by a “Faraday Cage”. This is an enclosure formed by conductive material that blocks electric fields and electric currents, such as lightning strikes, from entering the trains. During lightning, the electric current will travel through the outside shell of the train and not into the cabin. It then travels through the wheels to the track.”
As mentioned in our earlier article, it is safe to travel in trains even during a lightning storm as the passengers inside are protected similarly to trains and planes.
Injured man was on MC
But if that’s the case, why was the train captain warded in hospital?
Well it turns out that he had been on MC prior to the incident and was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.
continue reading here :
https://mothership.sg/2017/11/lightn...viously-on-mc/