On a seemingly ordinary Wednesday afternoon, a peculiar incident unfolded in Singapore, drawing the attention of locals and tourists alike. A collision between a ‘Duck’ craft, operated by City Tours, and a private-hire vehicle near the iconic Esplanade at 6 Raffles Boulevard led to an unexpected turn of events, according to Shin Min Daily News.
The accident not only impacted the tour operator but also left the tourists involved feeling discontented and seeking compensation for their disrupted sightseeing experience.
The incident occurred during a collision between a black PHV and the amphibious ‘Duck’ craft, a revamped vehicle from the Vietnam War era, known for its ability to provide tourists with a unique sightseeing tour on both land and water.
An eyewitness, surnamed Hu, recounted that the collision took place at the Esplanade and promptly attracted police cars and an ambulance to the scene.
The Unhappy Tourists
A Shin Min reporter arrived to witness a heated dispute between the tourists on the ‘Duck’ craft—over 20 in number—and the staff from City Tours.
The tourists were visibly displeased that their sightseeing adventure had come to an abrupt end, leading some of them to demand compensation for the inconvenience caused.
With emotions running high and tempers flaring, the situation required police intervention to mediate in the conflict.
One of the affected tourists, Zhang, shared his frustration, mentioning that the tour was scheduled to start at 2.30 pm but was delayed by an hour due to the accident.
To add to their disappointment, their time on the ‘Duck’ craft was also significantly shortened. Another tourist, surnamed Guo, expressed her hope that City Tours would present a clear compensation plan for the affected visitors.
The police confirmed that the 47-year-old male car driver involved in the collision was conscious and taken to the hospital for medical evaluation.
In an attempt to address the grievances of the affected tourists, City Tours said that 12 out of the 22 impacted visitors have already received a full refund.
For the remaining tourists, the tour operator has made arrangements for them to embark on the sightseeing tour at a later date, providing them with a chance to experience the tour they initially signed up for.