By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter
Tension runs high whenever train driver Yoo Chung-sik, 39, sees a train approaches a subway platform sidelined by a throng of passengers. It makes him shudder whenever he sees some mischievous children playing at jumping off the platform.
He is still suffering from the aftermath of a tragic experience of running over a man. In February 2005, an old man was slowly falling off the platform at Gangbyeon Station on the Subway Line 2. "The moment I saw him fall, I applied the brake and managed to pull up the train. But it was too late. I ran him over with a speed of 30 km/h and the man was stuck between the first and second wheel.''
Fortunately, the man survived, but left Yoo with traumatic memories. ``I cannot shake off the horrible moment. Right after the accident, I got out of the train but I couldn't look at the victim,'' he said.
Since then, Yoo has not been able to stand behind the wheels again. He now works as an office worker for Seoul Metro. ``I don't think I will be able to drive a train again. I couldn't put up with the tension whenever my train approaches a platform.''
Yoo is rather okay compared to other colleagues who experienced passengers' suicide attempts. Some drivers need to have psychiatric treatment for several months, according to the subway company.
``We give 3-5 day leaves to drivers who experienced suicide attempts. We know it's not enough for some drivers and are considering introducing rehabilitation programs to help such drivers overcome the aftermath,'' said Kim Jeong-hwan, a spokesman for Seoul Metro.
This year has already seen 16 commit suicides despite a growing number of screen doors at subway stations. According to Seoul Metro, about 200 have committed suicides at subway stations since 2003, which indicates that two persons ended their lives a month on average. Among them, More than 30 percent of the suicides took place the last two years.
Experts say that suicides in the railroads could shock and damage witnesses more than other kinds of suicides.
``Train drivers are the biggest victims of the deaths and other passengers around the tragedy spots often suffer from trauma as well,'' said Hong Chang-hee, psychology professor of Pusan National University.
``People attempt suicide at subway stations are more intentional to die and those who killed themselves in public places usually have strong complaints against the society and want to give some messages to others,'' Hong added.
The subway authorities hope screen doors being installed at stations will help prevent suicide attempts at platforms.
``We will set up more screen doors at subway stations and place more security staff,'' Kim of Seoul Metro said.