SBS bus ploughs into seven motorcycles
Bus crashes into 7 bikes, car
Ever since someone stole an accessory off his motorcycle, he has made it a habit to park his bike within view of his third-storey Changi Village flat.
The 55-year-old lorry driver, who wanted to be known only as Mr Herman, said he would regularly stand at the doorway of his flat to keep a lookout for his motorcycle.
At about 7am yesterday, he could only stare in horror as a man jumped off a parked motorcycle just in time to avoid being hit by a runaway SBS Transit bus on Changi Village Road.
The bus rammed into seven parked motorcycles, including Mr Herman's, sending some of them crashing onto the kerb and the road.
One motorcycle was even pushed under a parked car.
Recounting the accident, Mr Herman said he noticed the bus going straight instead of turning right into the Changi Village Bus Terminal.
He said he was wondering why the bus was not stopping when, to his horror, it ploughed into the motorcycles.
"It all happened very fast. There was a man who was on one of the motorcycles that went under the car. Luckily, he reacted quickly enough to jump away and onto the pavement.
"If not, his bones would..." said Mr Herman, shuddering at the thought.
PASSED OUT
Mr Herman ran to the scene and saw that the motorcyclist had passed out on the pavement.
He said the man came to a few minutes later and sat at the kerb with a bruised foot. He looked like he was in shock.
Mr Herman added that the motorcyclist's pillion was standing on the kerb when the accident happened and thus escaped injury.
The bus driver, who also appeared to be in shock, remained in his seat for a while.
Mr Herman said of his damaged motorcycle: "If it's damage to the bike, it can be repaired.
"But if it's damage to the body, it's much harder."
Police said a 23-year-old male motorcyclist was taken conscious to Changi General Hospital.
Ms Tammy Tan, SBS Transit's senior vice-president of corporate communications, explained that the bus captain had "suddenly felt unwell".
She said: "As a result, he was unable to avoid a collision."
The bus captain had declared he was fit before driving and did not look sick, she added.
"We're very sorry that a motorcyclist was injured as a result, but are thankful that his injuries are not serious. We have been in touch with him and are rendering him assistance. No one else was injured and our bus captain is currently resting at home," she said.
Police investigations are ongoing.
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now