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Man who died in AYE ‘U-turn’ accident was a media personality: report

Liong Kuo Hwa, a media personality, died in the accident along AYE before Tuas West Road on Monday morning (19 Dec). Photo: Facebook
Liong Kuo Hwa, a media personality, died in the accident along AYE before Tuas West Road on Monday morning (19 Dec). Photo: Facebook

The 37-year-old man who died in the accident along Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) near Tuas West Road on Monday morning (19 December) has been identified as a media personality, according to a report by Today.

Liong Kuo Hwa has appeared in local films, TV programmes and commercials, according to his personal website.

A 53-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly making a U-turn and driving against the flow of traffic along the AYE towards Tuas Checkpoint on Monday, killing a man and injuring four others, police said. The injured were conveyed to the National University Hospital.

The man is being investigated for causing death through a rash act. Any person convicted of the offence faces a jail term of up to five years or a fine or both.

A Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) spokesman said that the victim was trapped in the driver’s seat of his car and was extricated with the aid of hydraulic rescue tools. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Today report said Liong – also known as Jackie – was travelling with his wife in his Toyota Vios when the accident occurred. She was among the four injured who were conveyed to NUH.

“I am in hospital. I think I am not in the position to talk so much … I am being attended to for my injuries,” said Liong’s wife, according to the report.

Between 2008 and this year, Liong appeared in local and regional feature films including “Mooncake” and “Pickles”, local TV shows including “Code of Law”, “Point of Entry”, “C.L.I.F” and “Just for Laughs Asia”, TV commercials and print advertisements, according to his website. He was also an emcee at various corporate events.

Yee Chang Kang, 44, Director of Shooting Gallery Asia, who has worked with Liong in various commercials, told Yahoo Singapore that he was shocked and saddened by Liong’s sudden passing.

“Jackie has always been a wonderful guy to work with. He took directions well and was a great actor. He’s always giving his best on set and I have never seen him grumble during our shoots. Always put on a smiling face to cheer everyone up.

“It is really shocking to hear about his passing on social media. I am very sad. He was still very young. Too young to have gone away just like that,” Yee said.

Local actor Maxi Lim said he was “very disturbed” to know that it was Liong who was the victim in the accident in a Facebook post. He added in the post: “It was a pleasure to be able to know you and to enjoy your performances.”