Chinese beautician knocked down by train

Jayantha DE SILVA

High heels and a mobile phone proved to be a fatal combination to a Chinese beautician when she could not cross the railway track quickly in Kollupitiya before an approaching train knocked her down.

This was revealed at the inquest into the death of Song Meigi (43) a Chinese national and a beautician by profession. The inquest was held by City Coroner Edward Ahangama.

Giving evidence at the inquest Engine Driver Kesara Costa said that he was the engine driver of train No 725 which left Maradana to Ratmalana. While passing the Kollupitiya Station at about 7.25 p.m. he saw a woman crossing the rail track and moving towards the sea side. Her face was partly covered by her elbow as she appeared to be holding a mobile phone. He tooted the horn and applied brakes.

The woman's high heeled shoes appeared to impede her quick crossing the track. The train stopped about 50 metres away. When he went back to where the woman had fallen, she found her bleeding. He informed the Bambalapitiya railway station by phone to keep an ambulance ready. However she had died before admission to the hospital. The Coroner postponed the verdict until the arrival of her husband and his identification of the body.