Man, 88, allegedly punched woman, 68, on head at City Hall MRT

While heading home from work on Dec. 31, 2024, New Year's Eve, a 68-year-old woman was allegedly punched in the head by a stranger in a lift at City Hall MRT station.

The woman, who worked as a cleaner and suffers from Parkinson's disease, ended up hospitalised for two days with a head injury and dizziness.

Police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) told Mothership that they received a call for assistance at 150 North Bridge Road at around 5:25pm.

A 88-year-old man is assisting with investigations for voluntarily causing hurt.

Allegedly punched in lift by man, 88

The woman, Sania (transliteration), told Shin Min Daily News that she had been working at the Supreme Court building as a cleaner for four years.

At around 4pm on New Year's Eve, Sania left work and took a lift at City Hall MRT station as usual to reach the platform.

The other passenger was an elderly man carrying a large bag of items, and they stood side-by-side in the lift.

"He was standing on my right, and his bag suddenly hit against my leg. Then, he swung a fist and punched me on the right side of my head," Sania told Shin Min.

Sania said she was shocked as she did not have any prior interaction with the man, and was confused as to why he attacked her.

Later, when the lift reached the platform, the man got out.

Sania kicked his bag, prompting him to glance at her.

But there were many people around and he did not take further action.

Sania managed to snap a photo of him before he left.

Hospitalised for 2 days

However, her head and neck soon started hurting, and her vision also became blurry.

"I have Parkinsons's disease, so my head experiences tremors from time to time. After getting punched, the tremors got much worse," she said.

Sania sought help from station staff, who guided her to a room to rest, and helped her to call the police and an ambulance.

She also called her son, who rushed down to City Hall MRT to accompany her.

She was conscious when she was brought to Raffles Hospital, according to police and SCDF.

In the hospital, Sania said her head continued to hurt non-stop for two days straight, and she also felt dizzy.

Doctors conducted an MRI scan for her and she remained under observation in hospital for two days.

'I hope he can apologise to my mother': Son

After she was discharged, Sania was given nine days' of medical leave to recuperate at home.

Following the experience, she no longer dares to take lifts but will take the escalator instead.

Sania's son told Shin Min that he wants to speak to the alleged attacker.

"I want to understand why he had to resort to violence, and I hope he can apologise to my mother," he said.

Police told Mothership that an 88-year-old man is assisting with investigations.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Top image from Shin Min Daily News