Teen’s injury causes disruption in her education and future plans as authorities address safety measures.
SINGAPORE: A Singaporean father is seeking compensation and an explanation from the authorities after his daughter sustained an ankle fracture near a Yishun bus stop, close to a construction site. The 19-year-old student, Huang Jia Min, now requires surgery and approximately five months of rehabilitation before she can walk normally again. This injury has forced her to miss her polytechnic graduation and impacted her plans to apply to universities and attend job interviews.
The incident occurred on February 21 around 11 am. Jia Min was walking past a temporary bus stop at Yishun Central, opposite Khoo Teck Phuat Hospital, when she accidentally stepped into a 20 cm-wide gap near a construction site. In an attempt to prevent herself from falling, she tried to steady herself using her right foot but immediately experienced excruciating pain. Her foot swelled up, and her ankle was broken.
Several kind-hearted passersby rushed to her aid, and Jia Min was quickly taken to Khoo Teck Phuat Hospital. Doctors informed her that screws and metal plates would need to be inserted to repair the broken ankle, offering her a chance at normal mobility.
When Jia Min’s father visited the accident site on February 22, he found newly applied yellow warning strips and railings, and the gap had been filled. He believes that the lack of safety measures at the time of the accident led to the incident, emphasizing that the situation could have been even more tragic if an elderly person had fallen. The father is calling for proper explanations and compensation, urging the authorities to address the lack of safety earlier.
In addition to the physical pain, Jia Min is deeply disturbed by the lengthy recovery ahead. She expressed her distress, noting that she has never worn high heels and now fears the long-term impact of the injury. She even reported suffering from nightmares after the traumatic event.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has acknowledged the incident, confirming that they have filled the gap. They also revealed that they have since implemented safety measures such as ramps, barricades, and safety cones to better guide pedestrians and prevent future accidents.
