Woman, 85, dies after taxi hit her at Lor 1 Geylang

An 85-year-old female pedestrian passed away after being knocked down by a taxi along Lorong 1 Geylang towards Upper Boon Keng Road on Jun. 10 morning.

The taxi driver, a 68-year-old male, was arrested for careless driving causing death.

Speaking to Shin Min Daily News, a witness said the deceased had just had breakfast at a coffee shop nearby before tragedy struck.

The witness surmised that the collision took place while the deceased was crossing the road and on her way home.

Aftermath

When Shin Min reporters arrived at the scene of the collision, they saw a ComfortDelGro (CDG) taxi parked near a traffic light and in front of a pedestrian crossing.

A pool of blood and some tissue paper could be seen on the road in front of the taxi.

The police also placed several cones around the scene of the incident.

The taxi driver was seen being interviewed by the police officers.

Police officers also conducted checks inside the taxi and its trunk.

Deceased just had breakfast: witness

Speaking to Shin Min, a stall holder at a nearby coffee shop, surnamed Wu (transliteration), said the deceased was a regular customer of the coffeeshop.

"She was very old, and her hair had turned grey. She was wearing a pink floral shirt and a pair of brown pants. She was eating wanton mee alone at the coffee shop in the morning, and the collision happened right after she left," recounted Wu.

Wu added that after the collision, a man told her that he had advised the deceased to be careful when crossing the road, but it did not avert the tragedy.

Passers-by held umbrella over woman: witness

According to Wu, after the collision, she saw the deceased lying in the middle of the road, reported Shin Min.

"I noticed that the back of her head was bleeding. Her face also sustained abrasions and was bleeding as well," recounted Wu.

Wu added that the deceased also appeared to be unconscious and was unable to speak.

Later on, two young women went over and held an umbrella over the deceased before paramedics arrived.

"After paramedics arrived, they performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the deceased and rendered her first aid with an automated external defibrillator (AED). She was then brought onto an ambulance and sent to the hospital," said Wu.

Taxi driver looked nervous: witness

The taxi driver got out of his taxi immediately following the collision, Shin Min reported Wu as saying.

"He looked really nervous and told me he would be in deep trouble if something were to happen to the elderly woman," said Wu.

Wu then reminded the taxi driver to alert his company and treated him to a cup of coffee and some pastries to comfort him.

Police, SCDF statement

In response to Mothership's queries, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed they were alerted to the collision at around 10:35am on Jun. 10.

An 85-year-old female pedestrian was conveyed unconscious to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where she subsequently passed away.

A 68-year-old male taxi driver was arrested for careless driving causing death.

Police investigations are ongoing.

CDG cooperating with police investigations

A ComfortDelGro spokesperson told Mothership that the company is "profoundly saddened" by the fatal collision.

The spokesperson added that CDG's "heartfelt condolences go out to the family of the deceased during this incredibly difficult time".

"We are fully cooperating with the police in their ongoing investigations and will provide all necessary assistance," read the statement.

Top image via Shin Min Daily News