53-year-old pedestrian in S'pore dies 5 days after being hit by bicycle

He suffered life-threatening head injuries.

Andrew Koay | October 08, 2019, 02:56 PM

A 53-year-old pedestrian succumbed to his injuries on Sunday, Oct. 6, after being hit by a bicycle five days before that.

Chew Fook Yew had been warded at Tan Tock Seng Hospital on life support after sustaining a head injury from the accident according to CNA.

The incident took place at the junction of Sims Avenue and Geylang Lorong 33 on Oct. 1 at around 6:20pm.

After being taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, it was determined that Chew needed immediate surgery for a severe head injury.

However, CNA reported that the three-hour procedure was unable to save Chew's life, and he slipped into a coma thereafter.

Filial son

Chew — the youngest of five siblings — was the main caregiver of his 88-year-old mother, cooking meals for her and ensuring that she took her medication.

He was described by friends and family as a "good buddy and filial son".

His mother has likened losing her son to "losing her hand".

Chew's siblings now take turns looking after their mother.

Discovered by his sister

According to CNA, the family was alerted to Chew's accident when one of his sisters came across the scene of the incident by chance.

She and her husband had been driving to her mother's house for dinner when they noticed an ambulance parked nearby the intersection of Sims Avenue and Geylang Lorang 33.

They also noticed that the injured person, whom paramedics were attending to, was wearing a familiar orange shirt — one that Chew would sometimes wear.

CNA reported that Chew's sister then called her mother's house and found out that her youngest brother was not at home, prompting her to get out of the car.

Her fears were confirmed when she saw that it was her brother who was the victim of the accident.

At the scene of the accident, Chew did not respond to his sister calling his name despite having no visible injuries apart from a few bruises.

His sister then followed him in the ambulance and informed the rest of the family about Chew's accident.

Surgery unsuccessful

While members of the family did not initially think that the accident would be very serious, concern for Chew started to mount when he remained non-responsive, with a head scan later revealing he had suffered a life-threatening head injury.

Chew went in for surgery at about 7:30pm that day, but by 11pm doctors broke the news to the family that he could not be saved.

He remained on life support until his death on Oct. 5 at around 10:35pm, according to CNA.

Friends and family

Chew's nephew Melvin, told CNA that days following the accident were "traumatic and difficult".

"The family couldn't sleep, we were just waiting (for his death)."

Many of Chew's friends, some from his early childhood, would visit him at the hospital — a gesture which touched the family.

Some visited just an hour before he died.

"We sang songs for him at his bedside — as he enjoyed singing and music — during his last moments. His friends also did a prayer for him," said Melvin.

Chew's wake is held at Block 130 Geylang East Ave 1, while his funeral will be at Mandai Crematorium on Wednesday morning.

Cyclist arrested

Responding to queries from Mothership, police confirmed that they were alerted to the incident at Sims Avenue and Geylang Lorong 33 at 6:17pm on Oct. 1, and that Chew was taken conscious to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Police added that the cyclist, a 41-year-old man, was arrested for causing grievous hurt by negligent act.

Investigations are ongoing.

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