Car runs over Myanmar woman's foot in Sembawang, forced to fly home as she can't afford surgery in S'pore

After working as an engineer in Singapore for about five months, a Myanmar woman was forced to head home after she was unable to afford surgery in Singapore following a traffic mishap.

She suffered fractures after a car ran over her right foot on Jul. 23 in Sembawang and had to pay S$40,000 in deposit alone for surgery.

Got into accident days after leaving her job

According to Shin Min Daily News, the woman, Myat, 35, had arrived in Singapore to work as an engineer five months ago.

However, she left the job on Jul. 20, three days before the accident.

On Jul. 23, Myat was walking near Block 508A in Wellington Circle when she saw a parked car on the road.

"I thought it wouldn't move, so I crossed the road. However, the car suddenly made a turn and ran over my right foot," Myat told Shin Min in an interview at Changi Airport on Jul. 25.

Her leg became stuck between the car's fender and tyre.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to the accident at about 8pm, it said in response to Mothership's queries.

SCDF eventually freed her leg using hydraulic equipment.

She was later sent to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital for treatment.

S$40,000 deposit for surgery

Myat spent three days and two nights at the hospital, Shin Min wrote.

Her bill for the stay amounted to about S$3,000.

She was also told that she needed to undergo surgery, and would have to pay a S$40,000 deposit.

"I do not have the money, so I can't do the surgery", Myat said.

The 35-year-old was unemployed and did not have insurance.

Myat had been looking for a new job before she met with the accident.

Former employer helped with bills

Myat reached out to her former employer for help.

"He kindly lent me money to pay for the medical bills and bought me a plane ticket back to Myanmar," the 35-year-old said.

She said she would return the borrowed sum as soon as she receives compensation.

However, at the time she spoke to Shin Min on Jul. 25, the driver had not yet contacted her.

Will be out of work for some time

Myat was discharged from the hospital on Jul. 25 afternoon, and caught a 9pm flight home.

She was accompanied by several friends at the airport and was seen with a cast on her right leg and abrasions on her left arm.

One of her friends told Shin Min that Myat came to Singapore to work and earn an income for her family back home.

She would have to undergo surgery back at home and would not be able to work for a while, the friend said.

A 39-year-old male car driver is assisting with investigations, the Singapore Police Force said in response to Mothership's queries.

Police investigations are ongoing.