Train hits Filipino tourist posing for photos in Taiwan, sent to hospital, could face fine

A Filipino tourist was hit from behind by a train while posing for photos next to a railroad track at Shifen Station in Taiwan, on Jan. 20.

The 36-year-old, named Michelle, fell onto the tracks and sustained non-life-threatening injuries to her head, chest and pelvis, Taiwan media reported.

She could be fined for trespassing on the tracks, according to Taiwan authorities.

Hit by train while posing for photo

The New Taipei Fire Department said it was alerted to the accident in Shifen at around 4:37pm on Jan. 20, Focus Taiwan reported.

Shifen, nestled in the Pingxi district east of Taipei, is a popular tourist attraction.

Many flock there to take photos of its charming railway tracks and release sky lanterns.

Surveillance footage from a shop along Shifen Old Street showed that the woman had passed her phone to a friend to snap a photo of her.

What happened

She briefly turned to glance at the approaching train before facing her friend and posing with arms outstretched.

She was hit from behind by the train, fell onto the tracks and appeared to be dragged down.

Onlookers appeared shocked by the scene, with many turning away and shielding their eyes and covering their ears.

Might be fined for trespassing

The fire department said paramedics treated a woman for a 3cm to 5cm laceration on her head, Central News Agency reported.

The woman was then conveyed conscious to a hospital in Keelung City.

Taiwan's Railway Bureau said the woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries to the head, chest and pelvis, Taipei Times reported.

Under the law, she could be fined up to NT$50,000 (S$2,071) for trespassing on the tracks.

Top image from theglobalfilipinomagazine/Instagram