Tourist injured after being hit by train in New Taipei

​TAIPEI (Taiwan News) —  A 36-year-old Filipino woman named Michelle was struck by a train while taking photos near a railroad track adjacent to Shifen Station in Pingxi District, New Taipei, on Monday afternoon.

Taiwan Railway Train No. 4831 struck the woman's outstretched arms, causing her to fall backward. She sustained injuries to her head, chest, and pelvis.

Police and paramedics arrived on the scene around 4:40 p.m. She was soon treated and bandaged, and sent to Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital for further treatment, though her injuries were thought to be non-life-threatening.

The Filipino woman was also questioned by police for suspected violation of Article 57 of the Railway Act, banning pedestrians and vehicles from trespassing on railway tracks, bridges, tunnels, and other areas where public access is prohibited.

The Railway Bureau reminded people that when crossing train tracks stop, look, and listen in both directions to ensure no trains are coming.

Should individuals be found to affect railway traffic safety, offenders will be fined between NT$50,000-100,000 (US$1,530-3,060), and in cases causing serious injury fines escalate to NT$100,000-300,000, and in cases involving death fines rise to NT$100,000-500,000.