A construction worker in Kampot province died after being maimed by a train in the early hours of yesterday morning, after apparently sitting next to the rail following a drinking session with friends.

Hang Kob, 30, had been seen by relatives drinking at around 6:30pm on Tuesday in Teuk Chhou district’s Trapaing Pring Khang Tbong village, just 500 metres from his home.

The man reportedly left his friends at about 9pm to make his way home, and was said to be singing and drinking beer next to the rail beside his house.

But according to Trapaing Pring commune police chief San Thor, at around 1:30am relatives reported hearing his screams for help after a train had passed through, and rushed out to discover him badly injured.

“His left hand and right foot were cut off, he died while he was on his way to the hospital,” Thor said.

Speaking yesterday, Tek Chhou district deputy traffic police chief Chea Pheara said Kob is the third person to be killed by a train in recent years in Kampot province since a previously closed freight service went back into operation in 2012.

“According to our reports, all of the accidents appear to have happened because the victims were drunk and fell asleep on or near the railroad,” he said.