In a shocking accident that occurred on Friday evening, Gilbert Christopher Soobhee, a 48-year-old man, was killed after being struck by a tram on the light rail track near the Kalimaye at Victoria Avenue in Quatre-Bornes.
The incident has raised concerns in Mauritius about safety and highlighted the importance of following railway rules.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that Soobhee was walking on the tracks despite warnings from bystanders. “He seemed disoriented and paid no heed to their warnings,” a witness by the name of Anton was cited as telling l’Express.
Nicholas Clifford Soobhee, the brother of the victim, strongly denied rumours of Soobhee being intoxicated or homeless. To l’Express, he described his brother as a helpful individual and expressed his anger over the incident. Nicholas had the challenging task of identifying the body at the morgue.
Metro Express Limited (MEL), the operator of the light rail system, expressed regret over the accident, stating that it promptly activated emergency services, including the police and medical response teams.
The police investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident. MEL is said to be fully cooperating with the investigation and has reiterated its appeal to the public, rail commuters, and road users to give priority to safety and adhere to designated pathways and crossings.
This tragic incident marks the third fatality involving the light rail system. Two people (in Barkly and Curepipe) have lost their lives since the tram service went operational.
Source: l’Express
