M Sahana Devi, a designer by profession, was crossing the tracks at the suburban Perambur railway station to reach the platform to take a train to her work place.
An EMU train bound for Chennai Central from Arakkonam was approaching the station at that time. Unawre of it Sahana attempted to cross the tracks.
"She was using an earphone listening to music on her mobile phone. She could not hear the shout of other commuters about the approaching train, S Sekar, Inspector, Government Railway Police, Perambur told PTI.
Stating that the spot where Devi found herself in front of the train has a narrow bend, he said, "If she had tried to move back or forth swiftly she would have been hit."
Despite warnings and levy of fine, some commuters continued to take risk, he said.