Tragic milking‑ear lorry crash on PIE leaves migrant worker behind
On Tuesday morning, a lorry filled with 17 migrant workers hit a helpless tipper truck on the Pan‑Island Expressway, righting the truck and sending all over the back of the vehicle into a chaotic tangle.
While the driver, a 36‑year‑old man, has been arrested for careless driving, the real heartbreak is about the men who have been carrying their families’ dreams in those cramped seats. Among them was 33‑year‑old Mr. Toffazal Hossain, a Bangladeshi who works with Bright Asia Construction.
- He died the same day at the hospital.
- His wife and his 2‑year‑old son share the shock—he was the sole breadwinner.
- Three sisters and a younger brother (still studying) are left with an empty chair at the family table.
Doctors say a handful are still fighting in hospital—one is in high‑dependency care, another’s out of intensive care, and three more are slowly recovering.
Reaching Out
The Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) has reached out to the family, especially the younger brother, to see how they can be helped in this difficult time. The centre is also offering interim financial aid because the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) payout will take a while to roll out.
What’s Going On Now
- There are two initial emergency responders who found two workers trapped in the back; they were rescued with hydraulic gear.
- All 17 passengers were transported to National University Hospital and Ng Teng Fong General Hospital.
- Police confirmed two workers were unconscious immediately after the accident.
- Everyone aboard is a foreign worker linked to Bright Asia Construction.
Authorities are telling everyone that the incident happened while the group was en route to a Woodlands worksite—so, according to MWC, they are covered under WICA.
Support Needed
The MWC is stepping in with words of comfort and offers a way to help missing families with a short‑term fund. Drop a cup of coffee or a few dollars for families on the sidelines of this accident—any help counts!
