SINGAPORE — They were heading back to their workplaces after having lunch at Raffles City Shopping Centre on Friday (Sept 14) afternoon.
But on the way down an escalator at City Hall MRT Station, Mr Kevin Ong saw a metal panel of the escalator flip open. Just a second later, he heard his wife Ong Sook Ling let out a scream.
“I heard a metal screeching sound and the next thing I know, my wife was pinned down by the panel, and the escalator kept moving,” said 40-year-old Mr Ong, who was standing behind his wife when the incident happened. Both Mr Ong and his 39-year-old wife have a three-year-old daughter and work in the financial industry.
The sharp edges of the panel had cut through her left shin, Mr Ong recounted to TODAY. After they stepped off the escalator, he took the panel and placed it by the side of the escalator so that others would not get hurt.
“My wife felt a stinging pain and hobbled to the side and sat down on the floor. It was only when she looked at the injury that she realised it was much worse than she thought,” he added.
“When I saw my wife's wound, I could see her bone and blood oozing out. I was calming her down while she was applying pressure to stem the bleeding.”
Several other commuters tended to them, one of whom was a lady who claimed she was a trained nurse. That lady called for an SMRT employee to retrieve a first-aid kit, and later bandaged Ms Ong’s leg.
“We were lucky that the female commuter sprang into action,” said Mr Ong. “We didn’t get the chance to find out her name and we really want to thank her.”
Ms Ong was brought to Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital. According to the doctor, her leg wound was about 8cm long and about 3 to 4cm deep, said Mr Ong.
At about 8.30pm that day, Ms Ong went for a two-hour surgery. She has been given a hospitalisation leave of eight days.
Responding to TODAY’s queries, SMRT’s vice-president of corporate communications Margaret Teo said on Sunday that at around 1.40pm that day, a side panel on one of its down riding escalators at City Hall MRT station had dislodged, injuring two commuters who were on the escalator.
“Our station staff provided first aid to the commuters, one of whom was conveyed to hospital for further treatment,” said Ms Teo.
“Our care team has reached out to the commuter through her family member to provide assistance as best as we can. We are very sorry for the accident and wish the commuter a speedy recovery.”
No details were given about the other injured commuter.
Ms Teo noted that after repairs and thorough checks were conducted, the escalator was put back into service that same evening. “The incident is currently being investigated,” she added.
Mr Ong said he received a call from an SMRT employee at about 9pm on Saturday, asking about his wife’s condition.
The subject of hospital expenses was raised. The employee told Mr Ong to submit all the medical invoices and that SMRT will review them accordingly, as the company is still investigating the incident.
“I emphasised to the employee that this could happen to a child and we wouldn't dare to imagine the extent of the injury it will have on a child,” said Mr Ong.
https://www.todayonline.com/singapo...alator-dislodges-woman-suffers-deep-gash-shin
