'1 more inch and it would've been me': Van driver recalls brush with death, mourns colleague killed in Tampines crash
It was a typical Monday morning for Chia Tong Chai, 64, who was driving to work with two colleagues in their company van.
But the trio, who work at First Choice Pest Specialist in Tampines, never made it to their workplace after a speeding car caused a multi-vehicle collision at the junction of Tampines Avenue 1 and Avenue 4.
His colleague, Norzihan Juwahib, 57, was killed in the accident. A 17-year-old Temasek Junior College student also died.
Speaking to Shin Min Daily News at his home on Friday morning, Chia, whose right arm was in a sling, recounted the accident on Monday (April 22).
His mind went blank for a moment after the collision, he said.
He had hurt his right arm, but disregarding the intense pain, he quickly got out of the van and checked on his colleagues.
Norzihan, who was in the rear seat, was unconscious, he said. The other passenger, a man, who was in the front passenger seat, was hurt but conscious.
Norzihan later succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.