Tragedy struck in Choa Chu Kang on the afternoon of January 29, as a five-vehicle collision unfolded, resulting in one fatality and two individuals being rushed to the hospital, according to The Straits Times.
The Call for Help
At approximately 2 pm, authorities were alerted to the accident along Choa Chu Kang Way. Both the police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) swiftly responded to the distressing scene.
In the aftermath, a man was discovered trapped in the driver’s seat of a road tanker—a lorry designed for transporting liquids in bulk. SCDF, equipped with hydraulic rescue equipment, worked diligently to free the man. Sadly, the 56-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene by a paramedic.
Videos circulating online painted a grim picture of the collision aftermath. A grey sedan stood stationary, forming a perpendicular angle with a blue lorry in the rightmost lane.
Adjacent to the lorry was a concrete mixer truck, impacted from behind by a green military vehicle, later identified as a general-purpose vehicle by the Ministry of Defence.
Moving further back in the collision sequence, a road tanker, positioned on the second-leftmost lane, displayed severe damage to the driver’s side of the cabin.
SCDF reported that two individuals were transported to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital. Simultaneously, two others, with minor injuries, opted not to be hospitalized.
The Ministry of Defence’s Clarification
Addressing inquiries by The Straits Times, the Ministry of Defence clarified the involvement of a general-purpose vehicle, shedding light on the types of military assets present during the tragic incident.
The duo admitted to the hospital were identified as members of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Following outpatient treatment, they were subsequently discharged. The SAF is actively collaborating with the police, providing assistance in the ongoing investigations.
Ministry of Defence’s Statement on the Accident
The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is aware of a road traffic accident along Choa Chu Kang Way involving a SAF general purpose vehicle on 29 January 2024, at around 2pm.
Two SAF personnel were conveyed to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and have since been discharged after receiving outpatient treatment.
The SAF is assisting the police with their ongoing investigations.