Six-year old boy pinned under bus in Choa Chu Kang accident dies in hospital

A six-year old boy died in hospital on Thursday (24^th May), after he was pinned under an SMRT bus while crossing the road in Choa Chu Kang. The police said they were alerted to the accident involving a bus and a pedestrian in Choa Chu Kang Avenue 5, in the direction of Choa Chu Kang Avenue 4, at about 9:00am.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that it used lifting equipment to rescue a boy who was trapped under a bus. The Straits Times understands that the boy was found under the rear wheel of the bus.

The six-year old boy was taken unconscious to National University Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries, police said. The bus driver, a 57-year old man, is assisting the police with investigations.

Immigration consultant Charlie Lim told ST that he was driving out of the carpark when he saw the accident in front of Block 486. "The boy was extracted from below the bus and sent up the ambulance," said Mr. Lim, 44.

"There was a lot of blood flowing under the bus." He added that the boy's mother was seen standing next to the bus and appeared to be in a state of shock as she was being comforted by a group of friends and police officers. SMRT told commuters at 10:15am via its SMRT Connect app that bus service 983 will skip three bus stops along Choa Chu Kang Avenue 5 and 6 due to an accident.

In response to queries, SMRT Vice President of Corporate Communications Margaret Teo said that the transport operator is sorry and sad that the accident has happened. "Our care team has reached out to the boy's family at the hospital to provide support and assistance," she said. "Meanwhile, we are assisting the police in their investigations." SMRT also apologised to commuters who were affected. The police has urged the public not to circulate images or videos of the boy at the accident scene out of respect for his family.