SBS staff returns backpack containing S$5,000 worth of items to distressed passenger 20 minutes after he left station

A distressed passenger was able to relocate his missing backpack containing S$5,000 worth of items at Hillview station on the Downtown line 20 minutes after leaving the station.

The incident took place last month at about 11pm on Apr. 4, 2025.

On a Facebook post, the passenger named Michael said that he got off the train at Hillview station "in a moment of inadvertence", leaving his backpack behind.

The backpack contained two laptops, an iPad, and a wallet with many bank cards.

He did not realise he had lost his backpack until 20 minutes later, after leaving the station.

"I was going crazy and thought it would be nearly impossible to recover it," Michael said.

But when Michael returned to the station, he found that his backpack had been kept safe and intact by the SBS staff.

Avoided financial loss of over S$5,000

According to a Facebook post by SBS Transit, another commuter had found Michael's missing backpack and handed it over to the station staff at Hillview MRT Station.

Station Manager Asenan and Assistant Station Manager Kenneth secured the backpack immediately.

"As it was close to midnight, I hoped the owner would retrace his steps back to the station,” Asenan said.

Michael arrived at the station about 20 minutes later, enquiring about his lost bag.

The bag was returned after verifying his identity.

“There are no words to express my gratitude to the passenger who found my bag and the staff who safeguarded it,” Michael said.

In his post, Michael said that he was able to avoid a financial loss of over S$5,000.

"You saved my night," Michael said.

Top image via SBS/Facebook