Gavin Neo, a 49-year-old private-hire vehicle (PHV) driver in Singapore, died on May 29, 2025, after collapsing from a stroke while working a long shift on May 21. His death has prompted concern over the physical toll of long working hours on private-hire drivers, as his family speaks out to raise awareness of the pressures faced by individuals in the gig economy.
According to his daughter, Gavin had been working up to 15 hours a day driving for a ride-hailing platform. On the day he collapsed, he had returned home briefly before heading out again to resume work. At around 6.30pm on May 21, he suffered a stroke while sitting in his vehicle. A passer-by noticed he was unresponsive and called for an ambulance. He was rushed to the hospital and transferred to the intensive care unit.
Gavin remained in a coma for eight days. On May 29, 2025, he passed away without regaining consciousness. Doctors confirmed that he had suffered a stroke that significantly damaged his brain.
His daughter revealed that Gavin had lost his job during the COVID-19 pandemic and turned to private-hire driving to support the family. The job came with flexible hours, but the economic structure meant that he had to work long days to cover expenses such as vehicle rental, fuel, and commission to the platform. Despite returning home for short breaks, he would frequently resume driving after just a quick meal or brief rest.
She shared that he had looked extremely tired in the days leading up to his collapse. He had even expressed a wish to rest more, but the financial pressure of meeting monthly expenses compelled him to continue. She also recalled telling him to slow down, but he responded that he had no choice if the family was to cope with their commitments.
On the day he was hospitalised, Gavin had planned to drive in the evening despite already being exhausted. His family didn’t realise how serious the strain on his health had become until it was too late.
The family’s loss has triggered public reaction online, with many expressing sympathy and concern for the conditions faced by PHV drivers. Several commenters called for ride-hailing companies and regulators to do more to safeguard drivers’ health. Suggestions included setting daily work-hour limits, encouraging mandatory rest periods, and offering medical coverage for drivers.
His daughter hopes her father’s death will draw attention to the human cost of overwork in the gig economy. She emphasized that Gavin was not lazy, irresponsible, or careless — he was simply trying to survive. His passing has shown how easily such silent suffering can go unnoticed until it’s too late.
PHV drivers complaints that with the ever increasing car rental, high cost of petrol and low fare due to platform fee, they are forced to drive longer hours just to make a living.
The story has reignited debate about whether current labour structures provide adequate protection for drivers who are not classified as employees but as independent contractors. Without formal employment benefits, many drivers are left without medical insurance, paid rest days, or health safeguards.
Friends and fellow drivers attended Gavin’s wake, remembering him as a quiet and hardworking man who put family first. His daughter, while still grieving, hopes her father’s story will not go unheard. She wants more people to understand the reality of gig work and the need for stronger support systems to protect the vulnerable from burnout and irreversible health consequences.
Gavin Neo’s death now stands as a sobering reminder of what prolonged overwork can do to a person's health, and why more must be done to ensure drivers do not have to sacrifice their wellbeing just to stay afloat.
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