No evidence of foul play in death of 73-year-old struck by taxi on North Bridge Road: Coroner

SINGAPORE — As Lim Kian Sin was heading home after buying his usual supper from a coffee shop near his flat, the elderly man was struck by a taxi along North Bridge Road and flung a short distance away. 

State Coroner Adam Nakhoda has ruled that there was no evidence of foul play in the 73-year-old retiree’s death in the wee hours of March 30.

The ComfortDelGro taxi driver Ang Seng Huat, 55, was later arrested for careless driving causing death. Court documents did not state if he would be prosecuted. 

The intent of a coroner's inquiry is not to apportion blame but to determine why and how a death happened.

In his findings dated Sept 9, State Coroner Nakhoda noted Lim’s niece’s testimony that he lived alone at Block 9 North Bridge Road. 

He visited her food shop once a month to collect an allowance and some products.

Mr Goh Chong Yee, a witness who often spotted Lim patronising a coffee shop at Block 10 North Bridge Road, said that Lim would frequently cross the four-lane road from Block 8 to Block 10 after midnight to buy coffee and bread from the coffee shop.

The accident happened within 20m of a signalised pedestrian crossing and a pedestrian overhead bridge.

That day, at about midnight, Mr Goh saw Lim cross North Bridge Road from the coffee shop towards Block 8. 

Based on police camera footage, Lim appeared to be holding a walking stick in one hand and a plastic bag in the other. He also seemed to be limping.

Traffic flow along North Bridge Road, in the direction of South Bridge Road, appeared to be clear when he was crossing, State Coroner Nakhoda said.

As Lim crossed the road towards a bus stop, Mr Ang’s taxi could be seen approaching him from the left. It did not appear to slow down as it got closer and collided with Lim.

Footage from the taxi’s in-car camera showed that Mr Ang was driving on the third lane when Lim appeared in that lane. 

As the taxi approached the bus stop, the elderly man could be seen walking towards the fourth lane ahead of the taxi.

Mr Ang claimed that when he noticed Lim, he was too close to avoid an accident and could not brake in time.

He stopped to check on the victim and called the police to report the accident.

Mr Ang stated that he was not feeling tired or lethargic before the collision.

Paramedics pronounced Lim dead on the spot. Mr Ang was not hurt.

Lim suffered skull and jaw fractures as well as many abrasions, bruises and deep cuts on his body.

State Coroner Nakhoda said that the cause of his death was a head injury consistent with one from a road traffic accident and that there was no evidence of foul play in his death.

The coroner also conveyed his condolences to Lim’s family for their loss.