Car falls into sinkhole at Tanjong Katong Road South; one person taken to hospital

SINGAPORE: A stretch of road along Tanjong Katong Road South collapsed on Saturday (Jul 26), causing a vehicle to plunge into the water-filled hole. 

PUB said that the sinkhole occurred adjacent to its existing worksite, near the junction of Tanjong Katong Road South and Mountbatten Road at about 5pm.

"One vehicle fell into the sinkhole. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) conveyed the female driver conscious to Raffles Hospital," said the national water agency. 

"Two water mains were damaged in the incident. PUB is isolating the affected water mains," it added.

SCDF said in an update on Facebook that the woman was rescued by workers at the site before their arrival.

"We will be reaching out to the workers to commend them for their bravery and prompt action in saving a life," it added.

PUB had earlier said that the woman had been rescued by SCDF, but corrected this on Sunday.

The Land Transport Authority said that its contractors are on site to assist with road repair works.

"All roads from both bounds are now closed as precautionary measure," said LTA.

"Motorists are advised to take alternative routes during this time."

Calling it a "serious incident", Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said the affected road was closed to traffic in both directions to facilitate the checks on the incident site and for the safety of all users.

"I understand the public, particularly residents and workers around the area, may be concerned over the structural integrity of the buildings and roads following this incident.

"I have asked PUB to work with agencies, including Building and Construction Authority (Singapore) and LTA to investigate the cause of the sinkhole thoroughly, and implement rectification quickly."

In a statement late Saturday evening, BCA said its engineers have carried out preliminary checks on the nearby One Amber condominium and the landed houses across the road. 

"The assessments confirmed that the buildings are not affected by the incident," said BCA.

"As a precautionary measure and to ensure the safety of surrounding buildings and the worksite, stabilisation works have commenced. BCA, LTA and PUB are closely monitoring the ongoing repair works and overall safety of the area," said BCA.

At about 8.30pm, Exit 11 on ECP towards Changi Airport, which is the exit for Tanjong Katong South Road, was still closed. A sign read “Incident Ahead”.

Police could also be seen diverting traffic at the junction near the sinkhole.

A resident of One Amber, which is in the vicinity of the incident, said he heard a loud siren at around 6.30pm, and he thinks it could have come from the car that fell into the sinkhole.

Two residents in the vicinity told CNA that the water supply to their homes have been disrupted.

Mr Ramses Yogiaman, who lives opposite One Amber, said he noticed his water supply was cut off at around 6.30pm. He had already finished cooking dinner, but still had to head out to buy bottled drinking water.

Another resident who lives nearby also said the water had run dry at her home.

Member of Parliament for Marine Parade–Braddell Heights GRC Goh Pei Ming said in a Facebook post that LTA and PUB are investigating the situation.

He added that bus services 36 and 48 have been diverted.

Photos and videos circulating on social media show a vehicle almost fully submerged in water where the road caved in. There appears to be construction work going on in the area.

Footage also showed the area cordoned off with cones, with heavy traffic forming on one side of the road. 

A CNA reader said that as he was driving past, he saw people crowding around and cars reversing from where the incident took place.