Tragic Incident on Sims Avenue Sparks New Loss
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, the streets of Geylang deliver another heart‑stopper. On the night of Tuesday, Oct 1, a 53‑year‑old pedestrian, Chew Fook Yew, became an extra in a four‑legged collision.
What Went Down
It all happened at the corner of Sims Avenue and Geylang Lorong 33. A cyclist, presumably riding in a rush to the nearest tai‑chi class, found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time—and Chew got caught in the middle.
The Hospital Journey
- Chew was rushed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where doctors discovered a cerebral haemorrhage caused by a skull crack.
- He underwent a three‑hour emergency surgery—think “surge‑and‑den” with real stakes.
- Despite the valiant effort, Chew couldn’t beat fate.
Final Days
Placed on life support for five days, Chew sadly passed away on Sunday night, Oct 6. The city mourns yet another loss and reminds us that traffic rules exist for a reason.
Let’s keep the sidewalks safer—and keep the cyclists on two wheels only.
When a Weekend Dinner Turns Into a Nightmarish Accident
Picture this: a 60‑year‑old woman—Zhao, the sister of the late victim—was on her way to her mother’s house for a cozy dinner. She’s told that her dad’s prized orange shirt was on its way back, but then she stumbles onto a scene straight out of a horror movie.
The Red Flash and the Mysterious Orange Shirt
- She spots an ambulance blinking at a quiet intersection.
- Beside it, a man in a bright orange shirt is sprawled across the road.
- “It’s my brother’s sweater.. but I’m not sure.” She dials home. Heart sink mode is unlocked as the phone tells her he’s not at home.
To her complete shock, the man was her younger brother, Chew—the one who always wore that same orange shirt to work.
He Was Alive but the World Was on Hold
Chew looked like he’d walked straight out of a video game: wide eyes, mouth trembling, but no obvious cuts or bruises visible. Zhao kept shouting his name, but he was, as it turns out, lost.
“No response. No voice. Sleep held him hostage.”
The Unexpected Hero (Almost)
Enter the “Caucasian Cyclist.” He immediately hopped on a bike, rushed to lift the injured brother and shouted, “Call the ambulance!” He left as soon as the ambulance’s red lights appeared, dropping his contact details a tiny scrawl on the pavement before heading off.
- Witnesses say he was cycling at a mildly brisk 20 km/h.
- Police didn’t let him vanish. They cuffed a 41‑year‑old cyclist on a serious‑injury‑negligence charge.
Family Ties, Funeral Plans, and a Grieving Mother
Chew was the youngest of five siblings and had been the go‑to caregiver for their 88‑year‑old mother—the one who adored him more than anyone. She used to lie with him day or night, and when she saw him lying there, the tears were as heavy as the evening sky.
His funeral will be held at Mandai Crematorium on Wednesday morning, with the family taking turns paying their respects and honoring a life that stopped too soon.
Speaks Beyond the Streets
While investigations are still in full swing, the story gained a political hue when the Senior Minister of State for Transport, Janil Puthucheary, called out in Parliament that “PMDs could be banned… if user behaviors do not improve.” One day before a statement that could have legal repercussions for e‑bike users across the country.
So, the series of chain‑reactions—from a blotting eye to a bustling street to a new law—shows that every small incident can pivot to a wide net of consequences. An accident, a lost brother, a grieving mother, and a fresh debate on public safety. It’s a stark reminder: when life takes a turn, it’s not just about the road, but the lives we steer on it.
