A 13-year-old boy was taken to hospital after a metal object protruding from the ground pierced his foot while he was playing at the void deck of a Housing Board block in Sengkang.
The incident has sparked concerns among residents after similar objects were reportedly found in other parts of the estate.
Fortunately, the teenager did not suffer any fractures, although he was prescribed antibiotics as a precaution against infection.
Boy Injured While Playing With Ball
The incident occurred at the void deck of Block 172B Sengkang East Drive.
According to the boy’s mother, identified only as Tan, her son was playing with a ball when he accidentally stepped on a metal object sticking out from the concrete floor.
Photos of the object showed what appeared to be a screw-like nozzle measuring about three centimetres in length.
The sharp object penetrated the boy’s foot, prompting concerned family members to rush him to a nearby clinic for treatment.
However, due to the depth of the wound, the doctor was reportedly unable to properly assess the injury.
Ambulance Called After Clinic Unable To Assess Injury
Following the clinic visit, Tan called for an ambulance and her son was taken to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital for further examination.
Medical scans later confirmed that the boy had not suffered any fractures.
Despite the positive outcome, doctors prescribed antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection caused by the puncture wound.
Tan said she was distressed by the incident and immediately submitted feedback to the town council.
She also claimed that other residents had informed her about similar metal objects protruding from the ground elsewhere in the estate.
“I don’t want the same thing to happen to other children. If a child falls and hits their eye on it, the consequences could be unimaginable,” she said.
Town Council Removes Hazard And Launches Investigation
According to Tan, the object that injured her son was removed by the following day after town council representatives visited the area.
When reporters later visited the site, the metal object had been removed and the affected area patched with cement.
A spokesperson from Sengkang Town Council identified the object as a grouting nozzle, which is commonly used during waterproofing works.
The town council said it immediately inspected the area after receiving the report and discovered several additional grouting nozzles at nearby blocks.
As a precaution, the affected locations were cordoned off.
HDB And Contractors Working To Resolve Issue
The town council said it reviewed its records and found that no waterproofing works had been carried out at the location where the incident occurred.
The matter has since been referred to HDB, with the town council working alongside the project’s main contractor to remove any remaining nozzles and repair affected areas.
HDB stated that no protruding nozzles were detected during inspections conducted before the estate was handed over.
The development was completed in August 2023, with common areas progressively transferred to Sengkang Town Council in early 2024 for maintenance and management.
According to HDB, no further works have been carried out at the specific location since the handover.
Photos via Shin Min Daily News