A 57-year-old man has died after he was found unconscious in the Rochor Canal near Bukit Timah Road on Sunday evening (23 August).
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to the incident at around 7.45pm and sent rescuers to the canal near the Wayang Satu Flyover, which passes over Stevens Road.
When SCDF officers arrived, they found the man in the water and unresponsive. Rescuers then climbed into the canal using a ladder before bringing him to safety.
Emergency response at Bukit Timah Road
The incident prompted a significant emergency response along Bukit Timah Road, with police and SCDF vehicles stopping on both sides of the road.
One lane was reportedly blocked near the Rochor Canal, shortly before the Wayang Satu Flyover. A number of officers and emergency responders were seen around the canal as they worked to retrieve the man.
Members of the public also gathered nearby, with photographs shared online showing a police tent set up close to the roadside.
The Singapore Police Force said it received a call for assistance at approximately 7.25pm that evening.
Man taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital
After being retrieved from the canal, the man remained unconscious and was conveyed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital by an SCDF ambulance.
Despite the emergency response and subsequent medical treatment, he later died in hospital.
Police said that based on preliminary investigations, no foul play is suspected in connection with the man’s death.
The circumstances surrounding how he ended up in the Rochor Canal have not been disclosed.
Police investigations ongoing
The police investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
Authorities have not released further details about the man’s identity or the events leading up to his discovery in the water.
The incident comes after other cases involving people being found in Singapore’s waterways, highlighting the risks posed by canals and other bodies of water around the island.
While many canals run alongside major roads and residential areas, their steep concrete sides and deep water can make them difficult to exit without assistance once someone has fallen in.
The latest incident also resulted in temporary disruption along Bukit Timah Road as emergency personnel responded to the water rescue.
Members of the public who encounter someone in distress in or around a canal should contact the emergency services immediately rather than attempting a dangerous rescue themselves.
Police investigations into the 57-year-old man’s death are continuing.