A beggar was killed by a train while crossing the rail line at around 9am on Tuesday morning in Phnom Penh’s Teuk Thla commune, Sen Sok district.
Sok Sophal, Teuk Thla commune police chief, identified the victim as Sok Sreng, 69, from Por Sen Chey district.
“He is a beggar who crossed the rail track and was hit by the train. The train was big, how could he not see it? According to witnesses, he also suffered from mental illness,” he said.
Based on witness accounts, Sophal said, the victim crossed the rail line to beg but when he crossed the line again on his return, he got hit by the train.
Sophal said after the accident, police arrived and confirmed that the victim had died on the spot. His remains have been handed over to family members.
Local authorities said there would be no compensation handed out as the accident was caused by the victim’s carelessness. A few months ago, a woman also crossed a rail line was similarly run over by a train. There was no compensation for that victim either.
