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SMRT: Thai girl who lost legs in accident was 'negligent'
Fri, Sep 02, 2011 | AsiaOne
Appropriate safety measures were in place at Ang Mo Kio MRT station and Thai victim Nitcharee Peneakchanasak, 15, was negligent about ensuring her own safety while waiting for the train, said a statement from SMRT.

This statement - which was reported in online citizen journalism website, Stomp - was made in the transport operator's defence against a $3.4 million claim by the family of the Thai teenager who lost both legs in a fall in April this year.

SMRT also claimed that Nitcharee had fallen 'on her own accord' and that she had contributed to the mishap by failing to pay attention to her surroundings. She also failed to keep a proper lookout for the approaching train, and took inadequate precautions.

The accident resulted in the amputation both of her legs and her plight led many Singaporeans to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to help her family pay for the medical bills.

In a report on June 23, Nitcharee's father, Mr Peneakchanasak, told The New Paper that he is suing SMRT, claiming that as the occupier of the premises, SMRT has a duty to ensure that people within the premises are safe.

He also claims that his daughter could have been pushed.

klim@sph.com.sg