SINGAPORE — A major traffic accident involving five vehicles on the Seletar Expressway (SLE) triggered a massive rescue operation on Saturday morning, March 14, 2026.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) were alerted to the collision at approximately 10:05am. The accident occurred along the SLE in the direction of the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE), just after the Upper Thomson Road exit.
The Collision
The pile-up involved a total of five vehicles:
- Two large trucks
- Two lorries
- One motorcycle
The impact was severe enough to leave the cabins of both lorries heavily mangled. Upon arrival, SCDF personnel discovered that two men—the drivers of the respective lorries—were pinned in their seats, unable to extricate themselves.
Rescue Efforts
Emergency responders deployed hydraulic rescue equipment (commonly known as the “Jaws of Life”) to cut through the wreckage. In a precision operation, rescuers successfully freed both trapped drivers.
The SPF confirmed that five individuals were conveyed to the hospital. All victims were reported to be conscious at the time of transport. The casualties include:
- Two lorry drivers, aged 37 and 42.
- Two lorry passengers, aged 28 and 52.
- One motorcyclist, aged 32.
Current Status
Traffic along the SLE experienced significant congestion following the morning peak as recovery works took place. The authorities have confirmed that police investigations are currently ongoing to determine the exact cause of the multi-vehicle collision.
Safety Reminders for High-Traffic Expressways
Multi-vehicle pile-ups often occur due to following too closely or sudden braking. To avoid similar incidents:
- Maintain a 2-second following distance from the vehicle in front.
- Check blind spots frequently, especially when heavy vehicles like trucks and lorries are nearby.
- Avoid abrupt lane changes near expressway exits like Upper Thomson.