A 73-year-old man who was shoved to the ground during an altercation at a coffee shop along East Coast Road has gone to hospital for a medical check-up, according to his family.
Yeo Song Khoon, who has been operating Bei-Ing Wanton Noodle at Roxy Square for more than 40 years, was involved in an incident after he patted a young girl on the head because he found her adorable.
The girl’s father subsequently confronted Yeo and shoved him to the ground. The incident was filmed and later shared online, prompting widespread discussion among members of the public.
Elderly stallholder finally agrees to seek medical attention
Yeo’s family shared an update on Aug. 17 showing the elderly stallholder seated in a wheelchair and wearing a hospital gown. The family said they were relieved that he had finally agreed to receive medical attention.
In a social media post, Yeo’s family expressed concern that he may have only decided to visit the hospital after the pain became difficult to tolerate. They stressed that his health was their immediate priority.
The family also thanked members of the public who had checked on Yeo and expressed concern following the incident. The update appeared to reassure those who had been following the case that the elderly man was finally receiving professional medical care.
The wanton noodle stall at Roxy Square will also remain closed until Aug. 20, according to another update shared by the family. It is unclear whether Yeo will be able to resume work immediately after the closure period.
Yeo experienced back pain after being pushed
Yeo had previously said that he began experiencing back pain around two to three hours after he was thrown to the ground. He also has an existing leg injury and difficulty walking, making the incident particularly concerning given his age.
Despite the discomfort, Yeo reportedly took painkillers which helped ease the pain sufficiently for him to return to work. He had initially been reluctant to visit a hospital, saying that he did not like going to one.
On Aug. 16, when asked whether he would see a doctor, Yeo said he would assess his condition before deciding. He had also considered visiting a traditional Chinese medicine clinic instead.
His subsequent decision to seek medical attention means doctors can assess whether he suffered any injuries from the fall and determine whether further treatment or monitoring is required.
Elderly man previously said he did not want trouble
The original incident was shared publicly on Aug. 15 by Bei-Ing Wanton Noodle. According to the account, Yeo had patted a young girl on the head because he thought she was adorable.
The girl’s father later confronted him before pushing him to the ground. The man subsequently apologised and offered to buy Yeo a drink, but Yeo declined the offer.
Yeo also appeared reluctant to escalate the situation. He said that he did not really mind what had happened and preferred to let the matter go, adding that he did not want to cause trouble.
Despite Yeo’s initial reluctance to pursue the matter, his family subsequently lodged a police report. The incident has since attracted considerable attention online, with members of the public expressing concern over the treatment of an elderly man.
For now, Yeo’s family has indicated that his health remains the main priority. With the stall temporarily closed and Yeo undergoing a medical check-up, further updates are expected as his condition becomes clearer.