A 31-year-old drunken man was killed by a train on Monday night after having slept on its railway track in Tuol Ta Ek village, in Battambang town’s Tuol Ta Ek commune.

Battambang city police chief Theang Van Chhay identified the victim as Un Sokunthea, a pig butcher in the town. He lost both legs at the knees and died on the spot from massive blood loss.

“The man drank alcohol, became intoxicated and slept on the railway track where he was run over. It is not a murder case,” he said.

Van Chhay said the victim was known to be a drunkard and did not return home on Monday night. But his family was not concerned and didn’t look for him as his behaviour had become habitual.

He said upon receiving information from locals about the fatal accident, Battambang city and provincial officials rushed to the scene with police.

Police concluded that the victim had placed both legs on a single railway track and the night train ran over and killed him. His body was turned over to his family for final rites.

“After losing his legs the victim lost a lot of blood and died,” Van Chhay said, adding that he only took office around three months ago and he did not have records of railway accidents.

Pang Hieng, the former Battambang town police chief, said on Tuesday that many people were usually at the station and crossed the tracks when selling food.

However, he said to his recollection that nobody had been injured or killed by a train because when it is nearby, barriers are used to stop pedestrians and vehicles from passing through the railway tracks.