A 73-year-old wanton noodle seller who has spent more than four decades serving customers at his stall suffered a fractured back after a fall during an incident at a coffee shop.
Yeo Song Khoon, the owner of Bei-Ing Wanton Noodle, was recently seen in a wheelchair and hospital gown in an Instagram Story shared by the stall on Aug. 17. The post stated that Yeo had finally agreed to seek medical attention after the incident.
Despite his injuries, the elderly hawker returned to work on the same day after undergoing a medical check-up.
According to Yeo’s family, doctors had advised him to remain in hospital for further observation after his examination on Aug. 16. However, Yeo chose to leave the hospital and was required to sign a form acknowledging the potential risks of refusing further medical monitoring.
Doctors Recommend Spinal Surgery After Fracture
Yeo’s family said his doctor has recommended spinal surgery as the most suitable treatment option for his condition.
If he decides not to undergo the operation, he will instead need to manage his recovery through physiotherapy and medication.
The injury has affected Yeo, who was already experiencing difficulties walking due to a previous leg injury. His family said he began feeling pain in his back about two to three hours after the fall.
However, the discomfort was temporarily reduced after taking painkillers, allowing him to continue working at his stall.
The Roxy Square outlet of Bei-Ing Wanton Noodle was closed on Aug. 18 and 19. The stall is expected to reopen on Aug. 20, with Yeo planning to return to work the following day.
Incident Captured On CCTV
The incident was first shared by Bei-Ing Wanton Noodle on its Facebook and Instagram pages on Aug. 15.
CCTV footage showed Yeo walking past a family’s table before reaching out and patting a young girl on the head. The child’s mother was seen extending her hand towards Yeo, appearing to stop him.
The girl’s father, who was wearing a cyan-coloured shirt, then rushed back to the table after noticing the situation. He was later seen grabbing Yeo by the arm and swinging him around, causing the elderly man to fall onto the ground.
Other patrons at the coffee shop later assisted Yeo and helped him back up.
Following the incident, the girl’s father apologised and offered to buy Yeo a drink. However, Yeo declined the offer.
Elderly Hawker Says He Does Not Want Trouble
In an interview with 8world, Yeo explained that he had only patted the girl’s head because he found her adorable.
He said that elderly people often have the habit of showing affection towards young children in this way.
Despite suffering injuries from the fall, Yeo said he did not want to escalate the matter or create difficulties for others.
“I don’t really mind, just let him off. It’s okay to just leave it, it’s all right. I don’t want to cause any trouble,” he said.
However, his family has since made a police report regarding the incident.
The case has drawn public attention, with many expressing concern over Yeo’s condition and the challenges faced by elderly hawkers who continue working despite health issues. As Yeo weighs his options regarding spinal surgery, customers and supporters have continued to show concern for the long-time noodle seller.