What do you do when you accidentally drop your smartphone onto the MRT tracks?
Well, probably one of these three things:
- Run to the control station and request help, then patiently wait
- Shout and gesture at the sky
- Ask for help, punch staff when not happy with the help offered
Well, we all know choice #1 is obviously the winner, and choice #2 isn’t optimal but still in the realm of possibility.
But what if.
What if…someone actually chose choice #3?
*Cue cat shookth face*
Here’s What Happened
Clement Joshua Tan Teck Kim was boarding a train at Buona Vista on 29 Feb 2020 when he dropped his mobile phone onto the tracks.
The incident happened at around 11am.
Distressed, Tan sought help from the staff, and he was informed by the SMRT station manager that he would only have his phone returned to him the next day.
Not because they want to teach him a lesson, but because they cannot disrupt the trains’ schedule to retrieve the phone.
Tan tried to insist on having his way but left after the police officers, called by the station manager, arrived.
Came Back Again
Now, if you think Tan would wait until the next day for his phone, think again; because at 3.50pm the same day, Tan returned to the station.
He was determined to have his way and told employees that his baby was ill, and he needed to talk to his girlfriend urgently.
Unfortunately, for Tan, this still isn’t considered an emergency and his request was rejected once again.
Not getting the answer he wanted, Tan made his way to the platform’s emergency stop plunger, pushing away an assistant manager who tried to stop him.
Then, he engaged the emergency stop, halting a train coming into the station in its tracks.
He reportedly got into an argument with two SMRT employees, including the assistant manager.
Assault
A 62-year-old station guard came across the commotion and saw Tan behaving aggressively.
As Tan was heading out of the station, the guard attempted to stop him, only to be punched in the face.
Tan left the scene after.
Arrest & Charge
Four hours later, Tan was arrested by the authorities and today (9 Nov 2021), he was fined S$5,600 for his actions.
Previously, Tan pleaded guilty to one count each of:
- Being a public nuisance
- Assault
- Using criminal force on another man
For being a public nuisance, Tan could’ve been jailed for up to three months, fined up to S$2,000, or both.
For assault, he could’ve been jailed for up to two years and fined up to S$5,000.
Moral of the story?
Your smartphone might be as important as your life but make sure it doesn’t cost you your life.
Back in July this year, a 57-year-old man was arrested after he trespassed onto the MRT tracks in an attempt to recover his phone.
Thankfully, the driver of the train which was coming into the station was paying attention and applied the emergency brakes in time.
According to SMRT, the man had climbed over the platform doors to get onto the tracks.
Read Also:
- 3 New TEL MRT Stations will Serve As Emergency Shelters
- SMRT Suspends Station Staff Who’s Allegedly Involved in the Pushing of the Skateboarder at Esplanade Station
- Passenger Complains That SMRT Bus Captain Stopped Bus & Took Toilet Breaks 2 Times on Different Days at the Same Time & Place
Feature Image: Google Maps