S'porean PHV driver, 66, who died a year after being assaulted, remembered as soft-spoken & always ready to help

Low Ek Yong, the private-hire vehicle (PHV) driver who died a year after being assaulted by one of his passengers, is remembered by fellow drivers as a gentle and generous man who was always ready to lend a helping hand.

Low died in June 2025 at the age of 66.

The assault

On Jun. 12, 2024, at about 10:30pm, Low had picked up his final passenger for the day.

When he arrived at the passenger's home, the man was asleep in the back seat.

Low attempted to wake him, but the passenger reportedly became unhappy, whereupon he lunged at and pushed Low.

As a result, Low fell and hit his head on the ground.

It was later confirmed that he had sustained a skull fracture.

He was taken to National University Hospital for emergency treatment, and subsequently passed away from natural causes about a year later.

On Jul. 17, 2026, the passenger, 22-year-old Oruche Morgan Fidelis, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of assault.

He was sentenced on Sep. 7, 2026, to a five-day short detention order and 100 hours of community service.

Low was a gentle, generous, and humble man

Speaking to Mothership, Kelvin Lam, a fellow PHV driver, shared that he and Low were part of a group of drivers who would meet for brunch every Wednesday.

The weekly gatherings began around 2022 or 2023, and soon became a regular tradition among the group, he said.

Lam remembered Low as a man of few words who was "gentle, soft-spoken, and mild-mannered".

He would often go out of his way to help others, Lam said, adding that Low was a "very knowledgeable man".

According to Lam, Low was semi-retired and had two children, both of whom had graduated and were doing well.

He was also a "church-going man of faith".

Low was supposed to go on a family holiday the next day

Lam said he learnt about the incident a few days after it occurred, when Low's close friend came by their usual Wednesday gathering and told him what had happened.

That night, Low had been on his final trip of the week.

He had completed enough trips to hit his weekly target of 40 rides, Lam said.

He added that that Low was supposed to leave for a family holiday the next day.

For about a year after the assault, Low remained in a coma and never woke up, and was thus unable to give the police his account of the night, Lam said.

The driver remained in that condition until his death in June 2025.

Lam added that the period was undoubtedly difficult for Low's family, but declined to elaborate on their personal circumstances.

Low was always ready to lend a helping hand

For Lam, he hopes that people will remember Low for the man he was: gentle, generous and humble.

To the drivers who gathered with him each week, Low was more than just a familiar face at the table.

Though he was quiet and often sat in one corner, he was always ready to lend a helping hand, whether by buying a struggling driver a meal or offering some advice, Lam said.

He added that he hopes regulations could eventually be reviewed to allow the use of body cameras, which he believes could provide greater protection for both PHV drivers and passengers.