Pedestrian Dies From Head Injury 5 Days After Getting Hit By Bicycle

As a kid, we learnt the natural order of things.

All things with wheels belonged on the road, and all things (humans) with legs belonged on the pavement.

But then, we noticed that there was one who defied the rules – the bicycle. However, things were relatively safe and so we lived in harmony, except for the occasional squabble.

Then came long the infamous PMDs.

Blasting some siamdiu music to announce their imminent arrival and speeding like they’re participating in a motorbike race, they’ve gained a pretty bad reputation.

I mean, people have died. Not just pedestrians, but the riders themselves too.

Even the Gahmen also cannot take it liao. They gonna ban if the riders still anyhow-ly ride.

While the PMDs are getting all the attention, the cyclists are still riding quietly and hoping nothing goes wrong for them.

Well, looks like our old two-wheeled friend isn’t off the hook either.

Man Died From Head Injury From Bicycle Collision

On 1st October (last Tuesday), a 53-year-old man named Chew Fook Yew was unfortunately struck by a cyclist at the junction of Sims Avenue and Geylang Lorong 33.

He was rushed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where he was left on life support due to a severe head injury.

The three-hour emergency operation failed to save him, however, and he was left in a coma.

On 6th October (Sunday), he tragically succumbed to his injuries and passed away.

Family Found Out By Chance

His family found out about his accident by chance.

His sister Ms Chew was driving to their mother’s house to spend time with her when she noticed the ambulance and paramedics tending to someone in an orange shirt.

An orange shirt she recognised because Mr Chew often wears that shirt.

According to his nephew, Melvin, while his family members were initially not worried due to how trivial a “bicycle accident” sounded, they became increasingly anxious when Mr Chew remained non-responsive.

After the doctors broke the news that matters were out of their hands after the unsuccessful operation and that “it was only a matter of time”, his family suffered for an agonising five days.

“The family couldn’t sleep, we were just waiting (for his death),” Melvin said. “It was a traumatic and difficult five days.”

“Good Buddy & Filial Son”

Mr Chew was the youngest of his five siblings and the main caregiver for his 88-year-old mother.

Many of Mr Chew’s friends, even including those from childhood, came to visit him.

“We sang songs for him at his bedside – as he enjoyed singing and music – during his last moments. His friends also did a prayer for him.”

Mr Chew’s mother said that losing her son was “like losing my hand.” The rest of the siblings are now taking turns to take care of her.

Safety First

The 41-year-old cyclist has been arrested and investigations are ongoing.

In the wake of all these recent accidents involving bicycles and PMDs, please remember to be careful.

If you’re a rider or cyclist, while the point is to save time and travel faster, no amount of time saved is worth another human’s life.

Don’t make even the pavement as dangerous as the main road.

And don’t force the gahmen to ban the use of PMDs completely.