TAIPEI: Things took a wrong turn for a Filipino tourist after she posed for a photo in front of an oncoming train in Taiwan.
She suffered a deep cut to her face, and will possibly be fined for trespassing on the railway.
The incident occurred on Monday (Jan 20) in front of stores that sell sky lanterns in Shifen Old Street, a popular tourist destination in New Taipei City’s Pingxi district, said local media reports.
In surveillance footage taken from a nearby store, the woman is seen stretching her arms out to pose for a photo when a Taiwan Railway train slams into her arm.
The impact sends her falling to the ground, and almost rolling under the train.
New Taipei City Fire Department said the tourist, who is in her 30s, suffered a 3cm- to 5cm-long laceration on her head, reported the Central News Agency (CNA).
Police said that the tourist suffered multiple injuries to her head, chest and pelvis. She was taken to the Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital conscious.
The Philippines’ representative office in Taiwan, Manila Economic Cultural Office, on Jan 21 said the woman was in stable condition but needed surgery for her injuries, GMA News Online reported.
Taiwanese police pointed out that the woman had trespassed on the railway, which is out of bounds to the public, and might face a fine as a result.
If found guilty of compromising the safety of railway traffic, one faces a fine of NT$50,000 to NT$100,000 (S$2,070 to S$4,140).
If serious injuries are caused, a fine of NT$100,000 to NT$300,000 may be imposed. - The Straits Times/ANN
