German citizen identified as man who fell onto Santo Domingo Metro tracks

Santo Domingo.- A 63-year-old German citizen is in stable condition after surviving a fall onto the tracks of the Santo Domingo Metro at the Juan Pablo Duarte station on Line 1 Tuesday night, authorities said.

The Metropolitan Transportation Company (EMT) identified the man as Frank Diesterbeck and said the incident occurred at approximately 10:15 p.m. as a train bound for Santo Domingo Norte (Villa Mella) was entering the station. EMT immediately activated its emergency protocols and notified the National Emergency and Security System (9-1-1), which coordinated the man’s transfer to the Dr. Ney Arias Lora University Teaching Traumatology Hospital.

Hospital Director Víctor Rosario Suazo clarified this Wednesday that Diesterbeck did not intentionally jump onto the tracks. According to the physician, the man suffered a neurological deficit related to a previous stroke, causing him to lose muscle strength while waiting on the platform and fall into the path of the train.

“He didn’t jump; he fell. He lost muscle strength due to a neurological deficit resulting from his underlying condition,” Rosario Suazo said.

Doctors said the patient reported feeling dizzy moments before the fall. EMT also noted that Diesterbeck has vision problems, which, along with the medical episode, may have contributed to the incident.

Medical evaluations found that he suffered a fractured left ankle and multiple injuries. He remains hospitalized under observation in stable condition and may require surgery.

EMT expressed regret over the incident, thanked passengers for their cooperation during the emergency response, and reiterated its commitment to passenger safety and the strict implementation of established emergency protocols.