When an E‑Scooter Turns into a Real Life Scrabble Exercise
Last year, a seemingly harmless e‑scooter skated into Madam Yeo Eng Koong’s life in a way no one would laugh about: she ended up with a dented skull, a dented humerus‑ish head and thirty stitches – all thanks to a 36‑year‑old rider named Tham Chee Boon.
The Dance of Danger at Woodlands Junction
- Location: Block 362, Woodlands Avenue 5 traffic light.
- Time: 9:30 pm, a quiet night for dramatic drama.
- Speed of Tham’s scooter: ~10 km/h, a leisurely cruise that turned into chaos.
Imagine a calm evening made brisk by a throbbing soundtrack on Tham’s phone. As he neared the intersection, he misjudged Madam Yeo’s sharp turn, triggered a sudden stop, and the world around her turned upside down. One second she was crossing; the next she was a knight of the ground‑wars, dangling her head from above like a bewildered Joffrey.
Doctor Note: “30 Stitches to the Rescue”
After the epic fall, Madam Yeo’s head was a torn canvas of bruises, a cracked tooth, and a skull fracture so bad it demanded stabilisation with staples. Thirty stitches – yes, all the way down to her ears – were applied. She was unconscious for about a minute, a brief nod to the unstoppable forces of Downtime in a board meeting.
The Aftermath
- Intensive Care: 2 days.
- Hospital stay (excluding ICU): 13 days.
- Medical Leave: 3 months.
- Total Expenses: $18,000 medical + $4,900 dental.
Despite the considerable time and money, Madam Yeo still battles headaches and fatigue. She now is a cautious, street‑wise survivor, constantly scanning for scooters the way a hawk watches prey. “I look left and right, and, every now and then, I turn around to check if a scooter is behind me,” she says with a shrug.
Tham Chee Boon: The Scootin’ Defendant
On Wednesday, Tham pleaded guilty for causing grievous harm. His courtroom reality check: a fine of $3,500, while he proudly served as a paramedic for a private firm.
He sent an apology text after the incident. Madam Yeo, still in recovery, couldn’t reply immediately but later responded, hoping to sort things out privately. “I didn’t want his future ruined,” she admitted.
What We Learned
Keep your ears open, your eyes peeled, and your scooter scrolling cautiously. And, get to the court quicker—two keys to a less painful tomorrow:
- Check speeds at junctions.
- Make sure no soundtrack stops your focus.
Yeo’s story reminds us that every ride has its twist, but it’s how you respond that truly counts. And for the next time you see an e‑scooter, show it some respect or you might end up with a 30‑stitch edition of yourself!
