'We couldn't just stand by and do nothing': Samaritans recount helping after Braddell Road accident
SINGAPORE — Ms Nur Zanna and her colleague Addy Izwan were on their way to Jurong for a delivery job on May 27 when they saw a gas cylinder fly through the air on Braddell Road.
The sight was quickly followed by smoke, about two vehicles length ahead of them, telling them that something was wrong.
Realising that there was an accident there between two lorries, they then stopped their car at the side of the road near Raffles Girls' School to help, after informing the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).
Before them was a scene of chaos — gas cylinders and shattered glass, from the lorries' smashed windscreens, strewn all around the two vehicles, and the driver of one of the lorries looking badly injured.
Three people, including the drivers of both lorries, were conscious when taken to the hospital. One of the drivers, a 36-year-old man, later died.
While the smell of gas lingered in the air in the accident's aftermath, Ms Zanna and Mr Addy did not hesitate before they stepped forward to help.
"We immediately jumped into action, and started picking up the canisters and transferring them to a grass patch because we were afraid it might come into contact with the vehicles and cause an explosion or fire," Mr Addy, 37, said.
The pair recalled other drivers yelling at them for doing so as the cylinders could catch fire, but continued doing so because they "couldn't just stand by and do nothing".
"I remember thinking, 'If I die, I die doing a good deed and trying to help people'. It was a no-brainer," Mr Addy said.
Together with others who had stopped to help, Ms Zanna and Mr Addy formed a human chain to move the gas cylinders, before they checked on the trapped drivers.
At this point, a small fire had started on the lorry that carried the gas cylinders, with its driver calling out for assistance.
"He was waving his hands and saying 'Help, help' very weakly. There was so much blood on his face and clothes," Mr Addy said, noting that the man had serious injuries, including an open leg fracture.
"He looked so scared and was trying to tell me something, but I couldn't understand what he was saying in Mandarin."
He asked another Samaritan to quickly put out the fire with an extinguisher in that lorry, as he and others tried to extricate the driver from the other lorry, which was on its side.
Mr Addy climbed on top of the second lorry and tried unsuccessfully to open the jammed door.
"Even if we managed to get it open, I was afraid of moving him because I did not know how badly he was injured. But the man kept repeating 'Don't let me go', so all I could do was assure him help was coming, and keep him awake along with the rest of the people who had gathered."
"I remember I kept saying 'Don't let him sleep, don't let him sleep'," Mr Addy said, referring to the second lorry's driver.
Once SCDF officers arrived, those who had gathered to help earlier stepped back and let the first responders work.
Another lorry had also arrived then to collect the gas cylinders.
Mr Addy and Ms Zanna, 38, then decided to get back to their vehicle at about 2.20pm and continue their journey towards Jurong.
The pair then found out later that evening that a driver had died after he was taken to the hospital.
When contacted, a Union Gas spokesperson confirmed that the deceased was a foreign employee who was out for deliveries when the accident happened.
"We are in touch with his family and our immediate focus is to offer whatever assistance they need during this difficult time," the spokesperson said.
"After we read the news, I just kept thinking about how I saw him last, which was him asking for help so weakly. What happened was very sad," Mr Addy said with a sigh.
"But I still don't regret risking my life trying to save him. It's only human of me to want to help anyone in that situation," he added.
[[nid:718095]]
This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
International Business Times
8 hours ago
- International Business Times
Singapore Police Hunting for Car Driver who Fled After SLE Accident Involving 4 Vehicles
The Singapore police are hunting for a car driver who fled the scene of a four-vehicle incident on the SLE on Saturday morning, June 21, which injured three. The police were notified of the accident involving a car, a van, a cab, and a truck on the SLE in the direction of the CTE at approximately 10.10 am. The Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF) said that the accident occurred at the Seletar West exit of the SLE. The police and the SCDF added that a 63-year-old male taxi driver and two passengers from the taxi – a male and a female, both aged 42 – were conscious when they were taken to Sengkang General Hospital. A video that was posted on Facebook page showed a black car on the road shoulder appeared damaged, while its bumper had fallen off. A separate video showed a person wearing a white shirt and a white helmet racing against traffic on the SLE's road shoulder. The police said that the efforts to locate the driver are underway, and investigations are still ongoing.
AsiaOne
16 hours ago
- AsiaOne
Motorcyclist dies in accident involving truck along Admiralty Road; 3 other accidents the same day, Singapore News
A rash of accidents — one of them fatal — occurred on Friday (June 20), according to videos posted online. A 30-year-old motorcyclist died and another was injured following an accident along Admiralty Road towards Woodlands Centre Road at 3.15pm. The accident involved two motorcycles, a truck and a lorry, the police said in a statement to AsiaOne. In videos and photos of the accident posted to the Singapore Roads and SGRV Frontman Facebook pages, paramedics could be seen putting a white cloth over the body of the motorcyclist. The victim was believed to have been run over by the garbage truck after falling onto the road, reported Shin Min Daily News. A colleague of the deceased told the Chinese evening daily that a group of them were heading back to Johor Bahru when the accident occurred. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) told AsiaOne one person was pronounced dead at the scene by a paramedic and another person was conveyed to the Woodlands Health Campus. 3 other accidents the same day Seven people were also injured in three separate road accidents the same day. One of the accidents occurred along Bedok North Road towards New Upper Changi Road at 2.20pm. A video on the Singapore Incidents Facebook page showed a white van suddenly swerving 90 degrees to the right, crossing the road divider and onto oncoming traffic before colliding with another vehicle. A 46-year-old male car driver, his 46-year-old male passenger as well as a 39-year-old male passenger from another car were conveyed conscious to Changi General Hospital, according to statements from the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and SCDF to AsiaOne. Two other persons were assessed for minor injuries but declined to be sent to hospital, the SCDF added. The police added that a 28-year-old male driver is assisting with ongoing police investigations. Just two hours later at around 4.15pm, an accident occurred along Choa Chu Kang Road towards Bukit Batok Road. A video circulating on social media showed a white car which appeared to have crashed into a tree, reported The Straits Times. Police said they were alerted to the accident involving a car which was believed to have self-skidded. A 45-year-old male car driver was conveyed conscious to hospital and is also assisting with ongoing investigations, said the police. Another road traffic accident was also captured on camera at Pasir Ris Central Street 3 outside White Sands Mall, in which videos on social media showed a dark-coloured car flipped on its side. According to police, the accident involved three cars and a lorry. An 87-year-old male car driver and his 84-year-old female passenger were conveyed conscious to the hospital, with the former assisting with ongoing investigations, said police. candicecai@
Independent Singapore
2 days ago
- Independent Singapore
41-year-old cyclist gets injured and loses consciousness after running red light and crashing into car at Bugis
Photo: SGRV FB SINGAPORE: A 41-year-old male cyclist was taken to the hospital after a serious collision with a car in Bugis early Thursday morning (19 June), after he seemed to run a red light. The accident occurred at around 6:30am along Victoria Street, in the direction of Kallang Road. According to footage shared on Facebook by SG Road Vigilante, the cyclist appeared to be riding on the sidewalk and allegedly ignored the red light signal at the pedestrian crossing. The video shows the cyclist entering the road against the red light before being struck by an oncoming car. The impact flung both the cyclist and his bicycle into the air before they landed heavily on the ground. The incident drew concern online, with many commenting on the dangers of disregarding traffic rules. The Singapore Police Force confirmed that they were alerted to the accident shortly after it happened. In response to media queries, the police stated that the cyclist lost consciousness following the collision. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that the injured man was conveyed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital for treatment. The 44-year-old male driver of the car is assisting police with their investigations. Investigations are ongoing.
