E-scooter rider dies in hospital after accident with double-decker bus

An e-scooter rider who suffered head injuries in an accident with an SBS Transit double-decker bus on Thursday morning (30^th November) has died in hospital. Police said they were alerted to the accident at the junction of Bedok Reservoir Road and Kaki Bukit Avenue 1 at 10:28am. "A 52-year old male rider was unconscious when taken to Changi General Hospital. Police investigations are ongoing," said a police spokesman. The police said in an update on Thursday evening that the man died in hospital.

The man has been identified as Mr. Atan Amat. His cousin, Ms. Fauziah Mohamed Mydin, posted a tribute to him on Facebook. The 48-year old personal concierge told The Straits Times that her cousin was kind-hearted, helpful and friendly. Another cousin, who gave his name only as Mr. Zanri, told ST that Mr. Atan had been a cleaner at an SMRT depot. He was not married and lived with his younger sister, who was his only sibling.

Mr. Zanri declined to share more as the family was busy arranging for the funeral. Ceremonial prayers for Mr. Atan will be held at his Bedok home on Friday afternoon. The bus was travelling on Bedok Reservoir Road towards Kaki Bukit when the incident occurred. Photos sent in by a Straits Times reader showed the e-scooter pinned under the bus. Several passers-by were also seen attending to Mr. Atan.

Ms. Tammy Tan, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications at SBS Transit, told The Straits Times that the bus operator was 'very sad that this has happened'. "We are currently at the hospital with his family to render assistance as best we can," she said. "Meanwhile, the police are investigating the accident." SMRT's Vice President for Corporate Communications Patrick Nathan told ST in a statement that the transport operator was sorry that Mr. Atan had died. "We will be reaching out through his agency to convey our condolences to his family,” he said.

Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan, speaking in Parliament last month, said there were about 90 accidents in the first half of this year involving electric bicycles and personal mobility devices such as e-scooters. The accidents mostly took place on the roads, resulting in four deaths and about 90 injuries. On 20^th October, a 41-year old woman riding an e-scooter was injured in an accident with a car along Serangoon Road.