Coroner’s Inquiry: Taxi driver who was pinned at payment booth in Changi
He was in his taxi while making payment for petrol at a booth when he dropped his change on the floor.
Ong Kha Lee, 60, opened the door and tried to retrieve the notes from the floor without engaging the brakes in his Kia taxi. He leaned through the opening and as he tried to take the money, the vehicle rolled forward and trapped his head between the door and the wall of the booth.
Hearing his cries for help, a cashier at the booth, located at the Premier Taxi Headquarters at Changi, tried to help him. Two other cabbies in the vicinity also attempted to render their assistance during the incident, which happened at about 7.45 pm on 14 June this year.
Rescuers from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) arrived five minutes later after being notified of the incident. They elevated the vehicle from the rear before freeing Ong, who was conveyed unconscious to Changi General Hospital where he was pronounced dead the following day.
On the first day of the coroner’s inquiry into Ong’s death on Tuesday (6 December), the investigation officer of the case, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Faizal Nasir, explained that an investigation was conducted on the vehicle.
“The taxi was inspected and was found to be serviceable and there were no mechanical fault with the vehicle,” said the officer from Bedok Police Division.
ASP Faizal said that Ong suffered injuries on his neck, back, chest and upper limbs. He also had skeletal injuries consistent with him being pinned between the door of his vehicle and the wall.
Three video recordings of the accident were played before State Coroner Marvin Bay. The recordings showed the vehicle coming to a stop at the booth. A few seconds later, the vehicle was seen moving towards the wall of the booth and witnesses rushing to help the deceased.
“The cashier said (during investigations) that the deceased had aligned his vehicle nearer to the wall before stopping to make payment,” said ASP Faizal.
The officer also pointed out that the vehicle was in drive mode and that Ong had not engaged the foot brake while he was at the booth. That could have caused the vehicle to roll forward, trapping Ong in between the wall and the taxi’s door.
The findings will be delivered by State Coroner Bay on Wednesday (7 December).
