SINGAPORE - A 30-year-old worker from transport operator SMRT died on Monday morning (March 23) after suffering severe injuries while working at Bishan Depot.

In a statement, SMRT group chief executive officer Neo Kian Hong said: "We are deeply saddened that one of our staff, Technical Officer Muhammad Afiq bin Senawi, had sustained severe injuries while working in a Rolling Stock workshop at Bishan Depot.

"He was operating a hydraulic press machine when the accident occurred on Monday about 9.20am. First-aid was immediately rendered. He was then conveyed to the hospital.

"Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries and passed away at the hospital at about 11.20am. We have conveyed our deepest condolences to his family and are rendering support and assistance at this very difficult time."

The police said the man was unconscious when sent to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where he later died.

SMRT is assisting the Land Transport Authority, the Ministry of Manpower, and the police with the investigations.

It has also called a safety time-out and suspended all similar maintenance works while investigations are ongoing.

In a statement on Monday, Mr Melvin Yong, executive secretary of the National Transport Workers' Union, said the union is deeply saddened by the sudden death of Mr Afiq. Mr Yong said that union leaders are in touch with Mr Afiq's family to render the necessary assistance and support.

"Safety at the workplace is of paramount importance to our workers and the union will be working closely with SMRT and the relevant agencies to investigate what happened, and to review the current safety measures and safety protocols in place at the train depot," said Mr Yong.

In March 2016, two SMRT trainees died in an accident along the train track near Pasir Ris MRT station.

Investigations subsequently found that the accident was due to a failure to impose safety protocols that would have prevented trains from entering the work site where a track inspection was being carried out.

In December 2018, an SMRT worker had his right foot amputated after it was crushed in an accident involving a maintenance vehicle on the MRT tracks near Joo Koon station.