Three Singaporean tourists were among seven people injured in a head-on collision in Taiwan after a car allegedly veered across the centre lines and crashed into the taxi they were travelling in.
The accident happened on Nov 7 at around 2pm along County Road 193 in Hualien, on Taiwan’s eastern coast, approximately 160km south of Taipei.
According to Taiwanese media reports, the taxi was travelling along the road when an oncoming car suddenly crossed the double yellow lines and entered its lane, resulting in a head-on collision.
The three Singaporeans were passengers in the taxi. They were reportedly tourists visiting Taiwan when the accident occurred.
Seven People Taken To Hospital After Collision
The car was reportedly driven by an air force serviceman surnamed Zhuang, who was travelling with his wife and young child towards Yilan in north-eastern Taiwan.
The impact was severe, causing Zhuang’s vehicle to overturn. Both vehicles sustained substantial damage.
His wife, who was seated in the front passenger seat and holding their sleeping child, was reportedly thrown out of the vehicle after the windscreen shattered during the collision.
All seven people involved, including the three Singaporean tourists, Zhuang’s family and the taxi driver, were taken to hospital for treatment.
They reportedly suffered abrasions and bruises, but their injuries were not considered life-threatening.
Police Investigating Possible Driver Fatigue
Preliminary investigations found that neither driver was under the influence of alcohol.
A saliva test administered to Zhuang also returned negative for illegal substances, according to Taiwanese media reports.
However, authorities have yet to establish the exact circumstances that led to the collision.
Another Taiwanese publication, Liberty Times, reported that investigators suspected Zhuang might have fallen asleep at the wheel due to fatigue.
This possibility remains under investigation and has not been confirmed by the authorities.
Singaporeans Were Travelling On Cruise Ship
The three injured Singaporeans were reportedly passengers aboard the cruise ship Celebrity Millennium, which had docked at Hualien Port at around 7am on the day of the accident.
They were understood to have been travelling around the area before the collision occurred.
The incident is a reminder of the importance of road safety, particularly for motorists embarking on long journeys, where fatigue can potentially affect concentration and reaction times.