LUCENA CITY, Quezon – A senior citizen’s body was torn apart when he was ran over by a Philippine National Railways (PNR) train in Purok Maligaya Curva, Barangay Ibabang Iyam, here Friday, July 22.
The victim was identified through his senior citizen identification card as Noel Ligaya de Los Santos, 61, of Barangay 9, this city.
Witnesses said they saw the victim hanging out in a store near the railroad tracks. When the train was approaching at about 3 p.m., he headed towards the railroad tracks and laid down, witnesses added.
The train failed to notice the victim and ran over him.
The train with body No. MSC 01-DHL Z 9001 driven by Mardo Gahardo was enroute from the Lucena station to San Pablo City, Laguna.
The victim's body was taken to the St. Jude Funeral Homes.
Police are conducting an investigation and had coordinated with the PNR train marshal Hare Lord Zamora Lavadia.
Because of several accidents involving PNR trains, the local government of Tiaong headed by Mayor Arjay Mea plans to propose to PNR officials the installation of barriers on the side of the railroad tracks, specifically on road intersections.
Mea said there are many residents in Tiaong who use a trolley to travel people and goods using railroad tracks.
He proposed that the LGU will assign additional personnel to guard the railroad tracks and seek help from local police and the barangay tanod.