Just over a month has passed, but no one can forget the tragic death of a 17-year-old boy who was severely injured by a basketball structure that had collapsed in a court in Bedok.
The death understandably had parents on edge, as it took place in an area often frequented by young teens and children.
Shortly after the incident, the East Coast Town Council announced that it would be conducting checks on other basketball structures there.
Now, the checks have been completed.
Most Town Councils Completed Checks on Basketball Structures Following the Death of a 17YO Boy
Most town councils have completed their checks on the basketball structures they manage, reported The Straits Times.Â
Once the structures are assessed to be safe, the town councils may reopen their basketball courts for residents to use.
Some may remain closed, however, due to maintenance or safe management measures.
New Basketball Structures Provide More StabilityÂ
Though they are unrelated to the accident, new basketball structures have been installed in six ActiveSG stadiums this year, namely in Bedok, Clementi, Serangoon, Choa Chu Kang, Yio Chu Kang, and Woodlands.
Unlike the traditional structure seen in most courts, these new designs have four pillars and are padded with cushions.
The four pillars, along with the Truss system design, provide more stability.
The Accident
It’s unknown what caused the basketball structure to fall that fateful day, as investigations are still ongoing.
On the evening of 26 July, 17-year-old Mohd Ridwan was playing basketball with a friend at a court near Block 18 Bedok South Road.
At some point, the basketball structure collapsed on the 17-year-old, knocking him down.
The police were alerted to the accident at around 8:45pm, but when officers and personnel from the Singapore Civil Defence Force arrived, the boy was already unconscious.
He was rushed to the Changi General Hospital (CGH) and was given cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the way there.
Sadly, the teenager succumbed to his injuries in CGH. According to his death certificate, the cause of his death was a head injury.
Investigations into his death are ongoing.
ActiveSG warned the public that slam dunks and other similar stunts are prohibited at all ActiveSG facilities, even at courts with the new sturdy structures.
The court in Bedok at which the accident occurred has remained closed.
According to his mother, Ridwan used to come home late from the basketball court and often sang covers of pop songs and played the keyboard in his room.
“I live a very simple life; I worked only for my son. Now I don’t know who to work for,” she said.
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Featured Image: Facebook (Baey Yam Keng 马炎庆)
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