Scotts Road accident: Former surgeon and nurse did CPR on injured driver before paramedics arrived

Scotts Road accident: Former surgeon and nurse did CPR on injured driver before paramedics arrived

Passers-by had performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a driver who was injured in an accident along Scotts Road on Aug 18, before paramedics arrived at the scene.

It was earlier reported that the 56-year-old man had suffered a cardiac arrest while driving and lost consciousness, before getting into an accident with another car at around 9.30pm.

In response to media queries by Stomp, the police said the man was unconscious when conveyed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital. He is believed to be recovering.

Facebook user Supper Jimmy, who posted photos of the accident scene online, has now shared with Stomp more details about what happened that night: "Bystanders performed CPR on the victim before paramedics arrived.

"Among them were my father (dressed in black), who is a former surgeon, and a nurse (dressed in white) as seen in the photos.

"We think this shows the value of having CPR skills."

We spoke to Jimmy's father, 69-year-old Paul Ong, who is a retired surgical oncologist.

In a phone interview with Stomp, he recounted the incident:

"We had been to the movies in the area when suddenly, we saw a man lying on the ground.

"There was a gentleman there trying to help by supporting the victim's head, but he had no idea what to do.

"I went over and did a quick survey while someone was calling the ambulance.

"The man had no pulse and wasn't breathing.

"I asked for a handkerchief and a bystander gave me a shawl. I used it to blow into the man's mouth, while another onlooker, who is a nurse, gave him a heart massage.

"The best CPR is done in a team. My part is only a small one."

According to Mr Ong, paramedics subsequently arrived and sent the man, who also suffered cardiac asthma and had blood coming out of his mouth, to the hospital.

Mr Ong, a Chinese born in Indonesia and currently a Singapore Permanent Resident (PR), said that he is also trained in trauma surgery and dealing with patients of trauma.

His parents are Singapore citizens and although he resides in Holland, he comes back to stay in Singapore for three months a year.

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