Eighteen men were taken to hospital after two lorries collided at a junction in Boon Lay on Thursday morning (28 August).
The accident involved two lorries at the junction of Jalan Tukang and Tukang Innovation Grove at around 6.55am, according to the Singapore Police Force (SPF).
One of the lorries ended up on its side during the collision, while one driver became trapped in the driver’s seat and had to be rescued by emergency responders.
One lorry overturned after collision
Footage taken at the scene showed a white lorry lying on its side and partially on a road divider following the crash.
Several workers could also be seen around the accident site, with some helping to clear debris from the road while others waited nearby.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted at around 7am following the accident.
Upon arrival, rescuers found one person trapped inside the driver’s compartment of one of the lorries.
SCDF personnel used hydraulic rescue tools to free the trapped driver from the vehicle.
18 men conveyed to hospitals
A total of 18 men were eventually taken to hospital following the collision.
The group comprised both lorry drivers, aged 30 and 35, as well as 16 passengers between the ages of 24 and 55.
All 18 men were conscious when they were conveyed for medical attention.
SCDF transported 13 of them to National University Hospital, while the remaining five were taken to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital.
The large number of people involved has highlighted the potential risks associated with accidents involving vehicles transporting groups of workers.
Police investigations ongoing
The 35-year-old lorry driver is assisting police with investigations into the accident.
The authorities have not disclosed further details about how the collision occurred or whether any traffic offences were involved.
Police investigations are ongoing as officers work to establish the circumstances leading to the crash.
The incident comes amid continued efforts to improve road safety in Singapore, particularly around heavy vehicles and lorries that frequently operate in industrial areas.
Motorists travelling through Boon Lay and other industrial estates are reminded to remain alert around large commercial vehicles, which can have significantly larger blind spots and require greater stopping distances than ordinary cars.
Further details may be released as investigations into the Boon Lay lorry accident continue.