16 honoured for rescuing man pinned under trailer truck
SINGAPORE — Sixteen members of the public were recognised for their efforts by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), after helping to rescue a man trapped under a truck earlier in the week.
They were today (July 26) presented with certificates in a ceremony held at SCDF’s 1st Division Headquarters, with their family members in attendance.
On Wednesday, more than 30 people rushed to a man’s aid after hearing his cries for help. He had been pinned under a truck at the corner of Bendemeer and Boon Keng Road that morning.
The 35-year-old man was eventually freed after the passers-by managed to lift the truck’s wheels high enough. He was eventually sent to Tan Tock Seng hospital with a fractured leg, said authorities.
The incident was recorded by Mr Foo Suan Wang, who uploaded the video online. It quickly went viral, and had been viewed more than 347,000 times and garnered 5,900 shares by this morning.
Ms Diana Bregente, a sales manager from Spectrum, was among the first few to respond when the accident occurred. “We were walking across the street on the other side, going for lunch, when suddenly we heard a crash,” she said.
Ms Bregente and her colleagues, Ms Er Sing Yee, Mr Ekwin Chua and Mr Alan Lin, hurried over to see how they could lend a hand.
“The two guys immediately went to try to help. Sing Yee and I said we have to try and call an ambulance. There were about 10 people at first, then more and more people came (to help),” Ms Bregente said.
Mr Iqbal, a software engineer from India, who was one of two men who pulled the victim to safety, said everyone spontaneously gathered to help. “You could see people from different countries, but (all) the thoughts (were) of saving the man on the spot.”
LTC Alan Chow, Commander of 1st Division of the SCDF, who presented all 16 with certificates, said this incident was “quite an amazing feat”.
“It’s one for humanity; there was no formal coordination, everyone just looked for a space and lifted (the truck) up,” LTC Chow said, adding that the truck likely weighed “a few tonnes”.
He added that this incident shows the importance of bystander responders, who are able to render help while the authorities make their way to the scene.
