In a bewildering turn of events, a 47-year-old individual named Vanessa Wang Zi Qi has been charged with two counts of being a public nuisance and one count of assault after allegedly prising open the doors of a moving MRT train. The incident, caught on video, has raised eyebrows and concerns about passenger safety.
The Allegations: A Series of Disturbing Actions Unfold
Court Appearance and Gender Identification
Appearing in a district court on Dec 7, Vanessa Wang Zi Qi faced charges related to the alarming incident. While court documents identified Wang as male, the videos of the train incident depicted a person dressed in a strappy black top and a skirt, introducing an element of ambiguity.
Charges and Remand Order
Wang faces charges for causing annoyance to MRT passengers on two separate occasions. The first incident occurred on Nov 27 at Braddell station, where Wang allegedly pulled open the doors of an MRT carriage. Two days later, at Ang Mo Kio station, similar behavior ensued, accompanied by shouting and door-pulling. Additionally, Wang is accused of assaulting a man by kicking his leg at the station.
Medical Examination at Institute of Mental Health
The court has ordered Wang to be remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for a medical examination, suggesting a consideration of mental health factors in this peculiar case, according to The Straits Times.
His case has been adjourned to 21 December.
The Train Incident: A Bizarre Act Captured on Video
Online Videos and Eyewitness Accounts
Videos circulating online depict a passenger attempting to pry open the sliding doors of a moving train on the North-South Line. Fellow commuters can be heard yelling at the person to cease the dangerous act. According to an eyewitness, the attempt briefly succeeded in opening one door before the intervention of other commuters prevented further actions.
SMRT’s Response
SMRT president Lam Sheau Kai addressed the incident, noting that SMRT staff were alerted on Nov 29. However, the passenger reportedly turned uncooperative and aggressive when staff entered the train to investigate.
Post-Incident Scenes
Photographs shared online reveal the aftermath of the incident, with the passenger lying in a foetal position on the platform of Ang Mo Kio station, surrounded by TransCom officers and station staff.