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83326
Tue, 10/06/2009 - 18:39
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http://m.oananews.org//node/83326
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SRT chief: Train derailment might have resulted from human error
BANGKOK, Oct 6 (TNA) - State Railway of Thailand (SRT) president Yuthana Thapcharoen said he believes that Monday’s train derailment in Hua Hin is likely to have happened due to human error, and that the state enterprise will compensate the families of those who died in the mishap as well as those who were injured.
During a news conference about the train accident near the seaside town of Hua Hin, Mr Yuthana said its cause might be human error rather than defective equipment.
According to the initial investigation and witnesses, the ill-fated train number 84 en route from the southern province of Trang to Bangkok ran at a high speed of 105 kilometres per hour.
The train also did not stop at Wang Pong Station and did not slow down before approaching the station, Mr Yuthana, because the train driver might have fallen asleep at that time.
However, other staff with possible knowledge of the event will be invited to give statements for further information.
Mr Yuthana ordered a probe committee to seek the cause of the incident, to determine whether it was human error or the malfunctioning of the equipment. The committee must submit its initial report within five days.
After Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he ordered the transport minister to conclude the case within five days as it’s not about defective train systems, so it should take a long time to find out the facts.
The SRT chief added that cost of damage is around 130 million baht (about US$3.7 million), including damage to the locomotive and railway carriages, and loss of income due to the state railway’s suspension.
Southbound rail services, however, Tuesday morning resumed normal service, but the speed limit of trains passing passing Khao Tao Station must now not be over more than 20 kilometres per hour.
For SRT’s short-term solution, Mr Yuthana said management will propose to the government to recruit more train drivers and mechanics, saying that the number of staff is not enough to serve its overall train services.
The agency also planned to employ train engineering graduates to work as mechanics and drivers within three months.
The crowded passenger train derailed at Khao Tao Station in Hua Hin in Prachuab Khiri Khan, killing at least seven passengers, while nearly 90 others were injured. (TNA)
During a news conference about the train accident near the seaside town of Hua Hin, Mr Yuthana said its cause might be human error rather than defective equipment.
According to the initial investigation and witnesses, the ill-fated train number 84 en route from the southern province of Trang to Bangkok ran at a high speed of 105 kilometres per hour.
The train also did not stop at Wang Pong Station and did not slow down before approaching the station, Mr Yuthana, because the train driver might have fallen asleep at that time.
However, other staff with possible knowledge of the event will be invited to give statements for further information.
Mr Yuthana ordered a probe committee to seek the cause of the incident, to determine whether it was human error or the malfunctioning of the equipment. The committee must submit its initial report within five days.
After Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he ordered the transport minister to conclude the case within five days as it’s not about defective train systems, so it should take a long time to find out the facts.
The SRT chief added that cost of damage is around 130 million baht (about US$3.7 million), including damage to the locomotive and railway carriages, and loss of income due to the state railway’s suspension.
Southbound rail services, however, Tuesday morning resumed normal service, but the speed limit of trains passing passing Khao Tao Station must now not be over more than 20 kilometres per hour.
For SRT’s short-term solution, Mr Yuthana said management will propose to the government to recruit more train drivers and mechanics, saying that the number of staff is not enough to serve its overall train services.
The agency also planned to employ train engineering graduates to work as mechanics and drivers within three months.
The crowded passenger train derailed at Khao Tao Station in Hua Hin in Prachuab Khiri Khan, killing at least seven passengers, while nearly 90 others were injured. (TNA)
