Coroner records accidental death in ECP fatal accident on Labour Day

A local magazine publishing group director who was involved in a fatal accident on Labour Day this year on the East Coast Parkway (ECP) is believed to have been drink driving, after a coroner's report revealed that he registered more than twice the legal limit of ethanol in his blood. In addition the report, by State Coroner Marvin Bay, also discovered that the Volkswagen Golf was travelling at about 150km/h when he cut across three lanes along the ECP to get into a slip road.

The wheels on the right side of the Golf hit the kerb, causing it to crash through the guard railing, flip over and ram into a tree before landing upright again.

Both front occupants, 32-year old driver, Mr. Jamie Ho Pak Meng, and front passenger, 24-year old Ms. Chen Ren-Yi from Taiwan, were trapped in the car following the crash at about 7:30am on 1^st May.

Both were pronounced dead around 40 minutes later. The Straits Times reported that the four rear occupants - three women and a man aged between 24 and 30 - were conveyed to hospital for their injuries, including rib fractures. Three of them were Taiwanese as well.

At a joint inquiry into the deaths of Mr. Ho and Ms. Chen on Monday, the court heard that both had been drinking.

According to the English daily, investigations have revealed that Mr. Ho was ferrying his five passengers home to Neptune Court when the accident occurred.

The court heard that Mr. Ho was driving on the extreme right of the four-lane expressway when he cut across three lanes of the ECP to access a slip road towards Marine Vista. Eventually, the white German hatchback swerved out of control before crashing at the bend of the expressway exit. A minute-long video clip of the accident recorded via a motorist's in-vehicle camera was also shown in court.

Mr. Bay also noted that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) had reviewed the accident location and proposed improvements, including resurfacing the slip road, extending the guard rails and adding more road markings to guide drivers better.

Mr. Ho's parents attended the inquiry. Mr. Ho's father, Mr. Ho Sum Kwong, revealed his son was usually very responsible and was well-liked by all his staff. Mr. Sum also added that he was 'really devastated' by the passing of his son.