Man, 65, hit by spalling concrete from ceiling in Yishun HDB flat toilet, sent to hospital

Update on Jun. 20 at 10:45pm: This article has been updated with a statement from HDB.

While using the toilet on the morning of Jun. 19, a 65-year-old retiree living in a Yishun Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat had a shock when part of the ceiling fell on him.

He ended up blacking out before his wife could open the toilet door.

The man was rushed to hospital in an ambulance and required 10 stitches for his head injury.

SCDF confirmed with Mothership that at about 4:50am, it received a call for assistance at Block 127 Yishun Street 11.

SCDF then conveyed the injured man to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.

Ceiling fell when using toilet

The man's 34-year-old daughter, named Siti, told Mothership that her father had woken up around 4:30am to prepare for morning prayers.

While Siti's father was using the toilet, part of the ceiling suddenly collapsed, and the spalling concrete fell on him.

Siti's stepmother heard a loud crash when this happened, and her husband shouted for help.

But as the door was obstructed by the fallen spalling concrete, she struggled to open it.

Siti said that by the time her stepmother reached him, her father had blacked out.

Thankfully, Siti's stepmother managed to call a family member staying nearby for help.

She also called an ambulance.

First aid was administered to Siti's father at the scene as there was a large gash on the top of his head.

After he was sent to hospital, the retiree needed more than 10 stitches for his head injury and was also found to have sustained shoulder and knee injuries.

He is currently under observation at the hospital.

Just did HIP 7 years ago

Siti said that prior to the incident, her father had not noticed any indications that the ceiling's integrity had been compromised.

Neither he nor the upstairs neighbour had done any recent renovations or works that involved the ceiling.

Furthermore, her father's flat had undergone the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) in 2018, just seven years ago, Siti added.

Pictures shared by Siti following the incident showed that several large chunks of spalling concrete had fallen on the toilet floor along with other debris.

A large section of exposed ceiling could also be seen.

Following the incident, Siti filed a police report and notified HDB about the matter.

"We are sharing this incident to raise awareness, especially for other residents living in older flats," Siti said.

She was told by police that the Essential Maintenance Service Unit (EMSU) would be dispatched to inspect the site.

'They are extremely traumatised': Man's daughter

Siti said that her family has been very affected by the incident, and both her father and stepmother are "extremely traumatised".

Siti added that she is worried the incident may worsen her father's underlying health conditions.

Doctors have advised him to reduce his stress given his high blood pressure, and as he is on blood-thinning medication, his wounds would take a longer time to heal, said Siti.

Siti is hoping authorities can assist with the necessary repairs out of goodwill, as it would otherwise pose a financial strain to her father and stepmother, who are both retirees.

The flat is currently under the Lease Buyback Scheme, which helps supplement their retirement income.

On Jun. 20, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Nee Soon GRC Member of Parliament (MP) K Shanmugam wrote in a Facebook post that he was in contact with the family after the incident.

Shanmugam said he visited the flat and spoke to the wife of the owner who was injured by spalling concrete.

He added that that his volunteers are linking with HDB and the town council to assist the family on payment for the repair works.

HDB's response

In response to Mothership's enquiries, a HDB spokesperson said they were alerted to an accident involving spalling concrete at Blk 127, Yishun St 11 on Jun. 19, which resulted in injuries to a 65-year-old resident.

The resident's unit had been completed 41 years ago, noted the spokesperson.

"Upon being notified, our officers conducted an immediate investigation on the same afternoon and found loose spalling concrete on the floor of the master bedroom bathroom. We have since helped to remove it," said the spokesperson.

HDB also inspected the whole flat and found slight bulging of concrete in the ceiling of the kitchen bathroom.

Although there was no sign of imminent spalling for that part of the ceiling, for the residents' peace of mind and safety, HDB has arranged for a contractor to remove the bulging concrete on Jun. 23, said the spokesperson.

"We understand this has been a distressing experience for the resident and his family, and are assisting the flat owners with the repairs to the spalling concrete under the Goodwill Repair Assistance (GRA) scheme."

Under the scheme, HDB subsidises 50 per cent of the cost, while the remaining cost of repairs will be borne by the resident, as flat owners have a responsibility for maintaining their flats.

Given the family's financial situation, their case is being referred to the local grassroots for financial assistance, said the spokesperson.

HDB will also continue to render assistance and support to the affected resident and his family.

With respect to the HIP works conducted in 2018, the HDB spokesperson noted that as part of the toilet upgrading the resident had opted for, new tiles and fittings were installed in the toilets and the ceilings were re-painted.

No repair works for spalling concrete were conducted as there were no signs of spalling concrete in the unit then, said the spokesperson.

What causes spalling concrete?

Spalling concrete occurs through carbonation, a natural deterioration process that causes steel reinforcement bars in the ceiling to corrode and the concrete to crack, particularly in moisture-prone areas like bathrooms and kitchens.

To prevent such incidents, when any visible signs of cracks or holes start appearing, residents should seal them promptly.

They should also paint their ceilings regularly to prevent moisture and carbon dioxide from entering the concrete.

Residents are also encouraged to provide for the proper ventilation of any moisture-prone areas by opening the windows, vents or doors to reduce when these areas are not in use.

Regular care and maintenance is advised to keep the flats in good condition.

Top image courtesy of Siti