The Straits Times :SINGAPORE - Two commuters sustained injuries that were categorised as “major emergencies” - and another 23 people were injured - when a stalled SMRT train was hit from behind by another one at Joo Koon MRT.

The collision took place at around 8am on Wednesday (Nov 15) during the morning peak hour when trains are usually packed. The first train had stalled as it entered Joo Koon MRT.

The incident led to major delays on the East-West Line. At the same time, the Circle Line was hit by a major disruption said to have been caused by a door fault.

A total of 23 passengers and two SMRT staff sustained light to moderate injuries, and were taken conscious to the National University Hospital and Ng Teng Fong General Hospital.

Of the 10 who were taken to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, a spokesman said that two were assessed to have sustained injuries under the P2 category, or “major emergencies”, such as limb fractures and joint dislocation. The other eight sustained relatively minor injuries, such as sprains.

The Straits Times understands that the incident has to do with a malfunction of the new signalling system.

Land Transport Authority - We Keep Your World Moving :[LTA Update on Train Incident at Joo Koon Station]
This morning at about 8.18am, a train heading in the direction of Tuas Link Station stopped at Joo Koon Station to detrain passengers due to an anomaly in the train signalling system. At 8.19am, a second train stopped 10.7 metres behind the first stationary train. This is in accordance with the safety protocol of the signalling system protection that ensures safe stopping distance between two trains. At 8.20am, after detrainment, the first train’s doors closed and before this train could move off, the second train, activated by the signalling system, moved towards the first train and hit it.
Thales, LTA and SMRT are investigating the incident.
The preliminary finding was that the first train departed Ulu Pandan Depot with a software protection feature, but the feature was inadvertently removed when the first train passed by a faulty signalling circuit. This train then arrived at Joo Koon station without the feature. The removal of this feature resulted in the first train giving off a train profile on the new signalling system of a three-car train instead of a six-car train. As a result, the second train detected the first train as a three-car train and misjudged the distance between the two trains, therefore resulting in the collision.
Thales has confirmed the old and new signalling systems continue to be safe for operation. The East-West Line is currently running on the old signalling system from Pasir Ris to Pioneer, and the new signalling system from Joo Koon to Tuas Link. As a precautionary measure, trains will go through an additional layer of control measures and manual checks before they are deployed. Operations from Joo Koon to Tuas Link will also be suspended on 16 Nov 2017, while we conduct assurance checks with Thales. Bus bridging will be deployed for the affected stretch for the duration of the suspension.

[LTA – SMRT Joint Update on Joo Koon Station Incident]
At about 7.30pm earlier, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital admitted a walk-in from an injured passenger. This brings the total number of injuries to 29.
For the 14 injured who were admitted to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, including the new walk-in, 11 have been discharged, and two remain warded for observation. The new patient is being treated.
The situation remains for those admitted to the National University Hospital, with one passenger warded for observation.
The Ministry of Transport, Land Transport Authority (LTA) and SMRT will remain in touch with the injured passengers and others who may come forward later to offer the necessary assistance.