Bus Captain Saves the Day (and a Few Lives)
Picture this: it’s midnight, the road is dark, and a mangled car and a van have sparked a smoky chaos. The only thing that could foil this horror movie is a calm, bespectacled bus captain named Loh Kang How!
Smoke, Fire, and Quick Thinking
- At 12:12 a.m. on Sunday, October 23, a car and a van were smoking like an accidental barbecue.
- Loh, driving SBS Transit’s 132, stopped his bus front‑on, faced the blaze, and thought, “What if this turns into a full‑on inferno?”
- He leapt out, ran down the lane and shouted a warning to two passengers inside the car, rousing them from their limbo.
Rescue Mission Begins
With the car’s door jammed, Loh got creative: he lowered the driver’s seat, letting the driver climb back and escape through the rear door. Two other passengers hopped off the bus and helped free the trapped van driver. They had done the impossible in minutes.
All Safe, Now Call the Red Cross
Once all three were unharmed, Loh raced back to the bus, alerted the control centre, and requested an ambulance. “If I had stayed back,” he exclaimed, “the conscience would be something else entirely.” Like a superhero on subway duty, he felt the weight lift off his shoulders.
The Public’s Heart
A reader of Shin Min Daily News who witnessed the drama called it “a real hero moment” and applauded the captain for stepping out faster than a cat on a hot metal surface. “He saved three people by himself!” they shouted.
SBS Transit’s Pride
SBS Transit couldn’t be more proud. Grace Wu, Vice‑President of Corporate Communications, announced that they’re preparing a special recognition for Loh’s “public spiritedness.” (“We’re glad you were at the right place at the right time!”)
Other Road Heroes
It’s not just one captain. In August, Tan Wei Fu lowered himself into action to rescue an elderly rider whose hair had gotten stuck in the wheel. More recent heroes include:
- A driver who shoved a runaway little girl off a traffic lane on Marina Boulevard.
- Two SMRT captains who handled an electrical fire at Ang Mo Kio Bus Depot.
Official Acknowledgement
The police were notified at 12:12, and both the car and van drivers survived, now at Singapore General Hospital. The Police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) keep investigating the incident, ensuring all tensions are settled.
In the end, we’re reminded that ordinary folks—especially bus captains—can be extraordinary. It’s unclear who invented the “standing hero” bucket, but it sure looks good on Loh Kang How!
