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SINGAPORE: A cleaner on duty at the Budget Terminal died after he was hit by a taxi allegedly driven by a passenger on Saturday morning.
Police have arrested the suspect, who's a 30-year-old Chinese national.
They said they received a call at about 6.50am on Saturday, saying there was a dispute between a CityCab driver and his passenger.
Police said the caller reported that a passenger had allegedly assaulted a 57-year-old taxi driver at the road side along the stretch of Airport Boulevard, in
front of SATS In-flight Catering Centre 1.
Witnesses said both the passenger and driver were seen arguing.
The passenger was then seen getting into the taxi and driving towards the direction of the Budget Terminal.
Police said moments later, the same taxi was involved in a traffic accident when it hit a 34-year-old cleaner at the driveway in front of the Budget Terminal.
The man, who worked for Chye Thiam Maintenance, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics at 7.13am.
The taxi also smashed the glass side door next to fastfood restaurant McDonald's and a traffic light was badly damaged.
According to witnesses, the suspect allegedly tried to flee from the scene but was stopped by passers-by.
The taxi driver is believed to have chased the suspect when he drove off in his cab.
The victim is Mr Chandra Mogan, who is a Malaysian.
Colleagues said he was the morning supervisor on duty and had worked for the company for at least three years.
His family is in Johor and he has four children, aged between three months and 10 years.
Responding to media queries, ComfortDelGro, which operates CityCab taxis, said its driver picked up the passenger early on Saturday morning.
Its spokesperson Tammy Tan said that halfway through the journey towards the airport, the passenger allegedly started getting violent.
It said the driver stopped the cab, activated the distress button and got out of the vehicle.
Ms Tan said the passenger also stepped out and allegedly started to attack the driver and then got into the taxi and drove off.
She said the driver was injured and sought medical attention at the hospital.
ComfortDelGro is assisting him, as well as the police in their investigations.
It's understood that the China national had abrasions on his forehead and was sent to Changi General Hospital.
Changi Airport Group said it's deeply saddened by the accident and has extended its condolences to Mr Mogan's family.
Netizens on Channel NewsAsia's Facebook page responded swiftly to the incident.
Many were outraged and they also wanted the suspect to be harshly punished.
Others expressed shock and sadness for the victim's family.
- CNA
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