On Sunday, July 9th, at approximately 12:20 pm, a collision took place at the junction of Queen’s Road and Lutheran Road in the Bukit Timah area.
According to reports from Shin Min Daily News, a blue sport-utility vehicle (SUV) was traveling along Queen’s Road when it collided with a black sedan traveling on Lutheran Road. This collision had far-reaching consequences, leading to the SUV’s subsequent plunge into a nearby canal.
SUV was spinning before it fell into the canal
Eyewitness accounts shed light on the intensity of the accident. Mr. Zhuang, a family member of the SUV driver who was present at the scene, revealed that the vehicle spun around several times after the collision before ultimately crashing through the railing and plummeting into the canal.
Onlookers and reporters were quick to observe the aftermath, noticing the extensive damage caused by the SUV’s impact on the railing, which created a significant gap.
To ensure the safety of everyone involved, the police promptly cordoned off the area.
The submerged SUV suffered severe damage to its left side, as the force of the impact caused it to submerge in the canal. The rear wheels came to rest on a portion of the broken railing, while the front bumper was nearly detached.
The license plate had dislodged, and the front seat airbags had deployed, bearing witness to the intensity of the collision. The arduous task of removing the SUV from the canal took over an hour, with the operation finally concluding later in the afternoon.
Migrant worker to the rescue
Amidst the chaos and panic that ensued, an unexpected hero emerged. Kudia, a 35-year-old migrant worker, happened to be nearby, working on the renovation of a nearby house.
Alongside his colleagues, Kudia was on a lunch break when they heard a series of loud bangs. Driven by curiosity, they rushed outside to investigate and were confronted by the sight of the SUV submerged in the canal, with a woman and her son trapped inside.
The woman, undoubtedly in a state of shock, reached out to her son, desperately asking if he was hurt. However, the young boy stood there, seemingly dazed and unable to respond.
Without hesitation, Kudia leaped into action. Braving the treacherous waters, he swiftly carried the boy to safety, passing him to the other workers waiting outside.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Kudia and his colleagues immediately devised a plan to rescue the woman. They lowered a sturdy ladder into the canal, offering her a lifeline.
Grateful and overwhelmed, the woman climbed up the ladder, expressing her heartfelt appreciation for the swift and selfless actions of these courageous individuals.
As the incident gained attention, concerned individuals sought updates on the well-being of the car’s occupants. The police confirmed that the accident involved two vehicles, and both the female driver, aged 42, and her 12-year-old son were conscious when they were transported to the hospital.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) swiftly responded to the scene and conveyed them to the National University Hospital (NUH) for further medical evaluation and treatment.
Relief washed over the victims’ family as they learned that the SUV had not overturned, and both the mother and son had not sustained any evident trauma.
The driver of the black sedan, a 60-year-old woman, is currently cooperating with the ongoing police investigations.
Images source: Shin Min Daily News on TikTok and Facebook