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Man, 65, hit by spalling concrete from ceiling in Yishun HDB flat toilet, sent to hospital
News
He blacked out when the spalling concrete fell on him.
Daniel Seow
While using the toilet on the morning of Jun. 19, a 65-year-old retiree living in a Yishun Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat had a shock when part of the ceiling fell on him.
He ended up blacking out before his wife could open the toilet door.
The man was rushed to hospital in an ambulance and required 10 stitches for his head injury.
SCDF confirmed with Mothership that at about 4:50am, it received a call for assistance at Block 127 Yishun Street 11.
SCDF then conveyed the injured man to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.
Ceiling fell when using toilet
The man's 34-year-old daughter, named Siti, told Mothership that her father had woken up around 4:30am to prepare for morning prayers.While Siti's father was using the toilet, part of the ceiling suddenly collapsed, and the spalling concrete fell on him.
Siti's stepmother heard a loud crash when this happened, and her husband shouted for help.
But as the door was obstructed by the fallen spalling concrete, she struggled to open it.
Siti said that by the time her stepmother reached him, her father had blacked out.
Thankfully, Siti's stepmother managed to call a family member staying nearby for help.
She also called an ambulance.
First aid was administered to Siti's father at the scene as there was a large gash on the top of his head.
After he was sent to hospital, the retiree needed more than 10 stitches for his head injury and was also found to have sustained shoulder and knee injuries.
He is currently under observation at the hospital.
Just did HIP 7 years ago
Siti said that prior to the incident, her father had not noticed any indications that the ceiling's integrity had been compromised.Neither he nor the upstairs neighbour had done any recent renovations or works that involved the ceiling.
Furthermore, her father's flat had undergone the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) in 2018, just seven years ago, Siti added.
Pictures shared by Siti following the incident showed that several large chunks of spalling concrete had fallen on the toilet floor along with other debris.
A large section of exposed ceiling could also be seen.
Following the incident, Siti filed a police report and notified HDB about the matter.
"We are sharing this incident to raise awareness, especially for other residents living in older flats," Siti said.
She was told by police that the Essential Maintenance Service Unit (EMSU) would be dispatched to inspect the site.
'They are extremely traumatised': Man's daughter
Siti said that her family has been very affected by the incident, and both her father and stepmother are "extremely traumatised".Siti added that she is worried the incident may worsen her father's underlying health conditions.
Doctors have advised him to reduce his stress given his high blood pressure, and as he is on blood-thinning medication, his wounds would take a longer time to heal, said Siti.
Siti is hoping authorities can assist with the necessary repairs out of goodwill, as it would otherwise pose a financial strain to her father and stepmother, who are both retirees.
The flat is currently under the Lease Buyback Scheme, which helps supplement their retirement income.
On Jun. 20, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Nee Soon GRC Member of Parliament (MP) K Shanmugam wrote in a Facebook post that he was in contact with the family after the incident.
Shanmugam said he visited the flat and spoke to the wife of the owner who was injured by spalling concrete.
He added that that his volunteers are linking with HDB and the town council to assist the family on payment for the repair works.
What is spalling concrete?
According to HDB's website, spalling concrete is a common issue for older buildings, especially in areas with damp conditions, such as kitchens and toilets.It is largely caused by carbonation, a natural deterioration process which corrodes the steel bars embedded in the ceiling slab and causes the concrete cover to crack and bulge.
Owners are responsible for the prevention and repair of any spalling concrete in their flats, and the issue can be prevented with regular maintenance.
If the affected area is large, residents should engage a contractor to repair the ceiling promptly before more concrete dislodges and causes injury.
Top image courtesy of Siti
