Elderly Man Injured in Lavendar Street Accident, Driver Arrested for Drunk Driving
A 71-year-old man was injured on Friday night after being hit by a car that mounted the pavement at the junction of Lavendar Street and Serangoon Road in Singapore. The man, who was carrying a birdcage and pushing a trolley, was waiting at a traffic light when the accident occurred. The 37-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.
Details of the Incident
The accident took place around 9:10 PM. According to witnesses, the black Mercedes lost control while attempting to make a right turn and crashed into a traffic light before hitting the elderly man. The impact reportedly threw the man two meters onto a nearby grass patch. The car sustained significant front-end damage and was towed away from the scene at approximately 10:47 PM.
Witness Accounts
Hirham, a 46-year-old worker, witnessed the aftermath. He reported seeing the injured man lying on the grass, with apparent serious leg injuries. "I heard from nearby residents that the car was trying to turn right but lost control and hit the traffic light. The elderly man was waiting for the green light and was also hit and thrown onto the grass," Hirham stated.
Another couple who witnessed the incident stated that they were approaching the traffic light when the accident happened. They rushed to help the injured man. "We quickly went to check on the elderly man's injuries. We saw that his legs were badly injured, likely fractured. He was pushing a trolley and carrying a birdcage, which were also thrown by the impact. We are still shaken by it," they said.
"We quickly went to check on the elderly man's injuries. We saw that his legs were badly injured, likely fractured. He was pushing a trolley and carrying a birdcage, which were also thrown by the impact. We are still shaken by it," – Witness Account
Police Investigation
The Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence Force confirmed that the accident involved a pedestrian and a car. The 71-year-old man was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital in a conscious state. The 37-year-old male driver was arrested for drunk driving, and investigations are ongoing.
Family Arrives at the Scene
The injured man's son-in-law arrived at the scene around 11 PM and spoke with the police. He confirmed that his father-in-law had been taken to the hospital after being hit by the car that mounted the pavement. He added that he was still unclear about the specifics of his father-in-law's condition.
Care for the Bird
The birdcage the elderly man was carrying was damaged in the accident. A kind couple who helped at the scene took care of the bird. "The birdcage was damaged, but the bird inside seemed unharmed. We put the bird in a cardboard box and looked after it until the elderly man's family came to collect it," they explained. The son-in-law, after speaking with the police, requested that the couple continue to care for the bird.
Damaged Traffic Light
The car also collided with the traffic light before hitting the elderly man. The impact of the collision bent the traffic light post near the button, causing parts to fall off. Residents noted that it was fortunate the traffic light did not fall over, as it could have caused even more serious injuries.
Authorities arrived at midnight to remove the damaged traffic light. Nearby residents also mentioned that vehicles in the area often travel at high speeds, making it necessary to be extra cautious when crossing the road. “The intersection is wide, and there is a lot of traffic, especially during peak hours, which makes it quite dangerous,” a resident added.