Five Injured as Pickup Carrying Workers Crashes in Punggol

A serious accident occurred at the junction of Punggol East and Punggol Central on the evening of March 1, injuring multiple migrant workers after a pickup truck crashed into a construction site fence.

The collision took place around 6.40 pm when a pickup carrying workers collided with a car, causing the truck to lose control and veer off the road. The impact led the vehicle onto the pavement before it slammed into the fence of a nearby construction site.

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, with police and emergency responders arriving quickly. Among the injured, one worker was seen lying face down, bleeding from the head, while another had bloodstains on his sleeves. Debris and oil spills were visible on the road, and the car involved in the accident had its front end severely damaged.

A man working near the accident site recounted that the pickup was traveling along Punggol East when it collided with a car coming from Punggol Central Road. The force of the crash caused the pickup to spin out of control, ultimately crashing into the construction site fence.

Authorities confirmed that five passengers, aged between 25 and 45, were taken to the hospital conscious. Two individuals declined medical assistance. The driver of the pickup, a 41-year-old man, was arrested for dangerous driving, and investigations are ongoing.

The accident highlights concerns over the transportation of workers in the rear of pickups. This issue has been debated for years, as migrant workers are often transported in open lorries despite safety risks. In a recent parliamentary session on February 26, Senior Minister of State for Transport and Sustainability and the Environment Amy Khor stated that banning this practice is not feasible. She explained that many small and medium-sized enterprises rely on these vehicles for both workers and equipment, making alternative arrangements impractical.

While the use of lorries for worker transport continues, incidents like this raise further questions about road safety and whether stronger measures should be implemented to prevent future accidents.

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