A coroner’s inquiry opened on Thursday, 24 September, into the death of a 66-year-old taxi driver who was killed after his cab began moving while he was getting out to help passengers with their luggage.
The accident involving Tee Chin Teong happened more than a year ago, in the early hours of 24 February 2025 along Jalan Besar.
Tee’s wife, son and daughter attended the inquiry.
Taxi Began Moving As Driver Was Getting Out
The court heard that Tee had picked up two passengers from Changi Airport and driven them to their home near a hotel along Jalan Besar.
A hotel employee reportedly saw the taxi stop and the two passengers get out.
According to evidence presented at the inquiry, Tee opened his driver’s door and had placed his right foot on the road when the taxi started moving forward.
The open door then struck the left rear side of a lorry parked ahead.
The hotel employee said Tee’s head and upper body became trapped between the taxi’s door and its door frame as the vehicle continued moving.
One of the passengers rushed over and reached into the taxi. He shifted the gear from drive to park, stopping the vehicle.
Paramedics found Tee still trapped when they arrived. The collision with the lorry had forced the taxi door inwards.
A post-mortem examination found that Tee died mainly from traumatic asphyxia and severe facial injuries.
Investigator Believes Driver May Have Forgotten To Shift Gear
A Ministry of Manpower investigating officer told the court that Tee had worked as a taxi driver for 12 years and had held a driving licence for 42 years.
According to AsiaOne, citing Shin Min Daily News’ court report, the investigator believed Tee may have forgotten to shift the taxi into park because he was hurrying to help the passengers with their luggage.
That remains the investigator’s assessment presented to the inquiry. The coroner has not yet issued the final findings on Tee’s death.
The investigator also said Tee had been working for only about an hour when the accident occurred and believed that overwork was not a factor.
Police had received the report at about 12.50am on 24 February 2025.
The coroner will deliver the findings at a later date.
