In a tragic incident in Gumaca, Quezon, a 65-year-old man, Danilo Caperiña, who had a hearing impairment, lost his life after being struck by a train of the Philippine National Railways (PNR). The accident occurred while Caperiña was walking along the railroad tracks in Barangay Inaclagan on the morning of December 5. Despite the train operators, Gregorio Sevilla and Arnold Calaguas, sounding the horn as a warning, Caperiña continued walking and was sideswiped by the train. He was subsequently dragged for nearly 30 meters before the train came to a stop.
The Gumaca Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management (MDRRMO-Kalasag) rescue team responded to the incident and transported Caperiña to the hospital. Unfortunately, he was declared dead due to the severe injuries sustained in the accident. The train crew is now facing a complaint of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.
This incident is not isolated. In recent times, there have been similar cases involving individuals with hearing impairments being fatally injured by trains. Just last week, another hearing-impaired man was hit by a PNR train in Naga City, resulting in severe injuries. In the previous month, a man suspected of suffering an epilepsy attack was also struck by a PNR train in Polangui, Albay, and another individual in Oas, Albay, was killed in a similar train accident.
These incidents underscore the heightened risks faced by individuals with hearing impairments near railway tracks and highlight the need for increased safety measures and public awareness to prevent such tragic occurrences. The series of accidents involving PNR trains also points to a broader issue of railway safety and the importance of vigilant adherence to safety protocols by both the public and railway personnel.