Traffic controller, 66, dies after 10-tonne road roller allegedly ran over him in Joo Chiat

A 66-year-old traffic controller died following an accident with a road roller at Carpmael Road in Joo Chiat on March 3.

A 39-year-old man, the road-roller operator, was arrested for causing death by a negligent act, the police said in response to queries.

The police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) were alerted to the work-related accident at about 4pm on Monday.

An SCDF personnel pronounced the traffic controller dead at the scene.

Investigations are ongoing.

What happened

According to Shin Min Daily News, the road roller weighed 10 tonnes.

The reporter saw a blue tent erected in front of the steamroller to cover the body of the deceased.

A migrant worker at the scene said he knew the deceased from work since six months ago.

The deceased allegedly suffered serious head injuries.

An employee of the subcontractor company in charge of the project revealed that the road roller was backing up when the accident occurred.

It was believed that the road roller operator did not see the deceased crossing the road.

The road controller had just knocked off work at the time.

Road paving works over 2 days

Residents of the private housing estate said they received a notification from Singapore Power Group (SP Group) a few days ago about road works to be carried out on Monday and Tuesday.

A resident was alerted to the accident when it just occurred and assumed that a person had fainted and called the police.

However, the resident was told to go back into the house and then out the back entrance by the police who arrived at the scene.

The family of the deceased and the manager of the subcontractor company in charge of road works rushed to the scene following the accident.

Man taken in for questioning

The Chinese newspaper reporter saw a man wearing a helmet and mask being questioned by the police.

He appeared confused with a serious expression on his face.

He was later taken away in a police car.

The deceased's body was taken away at around 10pm and the road was cleaned up at about 11pm.

Family at morgue

The wife and family of the deceased were at the morgue on Tuesday morning.

The widow said she did not want to speculate on what happened before investigations concluded.

She added: "He has been doing this job for several years and has always been very careful in his work."

SP Group response

A SP Group spokesperson told Shin Min that they are saddened by the incident and have extended their deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.

The spokesperson added: "We are in contact with the contractor and are providing any support required. Work at the site has also been stopped."

Top photos via SG Road Vigilante & Shin Min Daily News