PUBLISHED ONInvalid Date Invalid Date
SINGAPORE - He was supposed to see a doctor on Monday, but postponed the appointment to the next day to meet a client.
But Mr Lawrence Tan was found dead in his car in a Jurong West Avenue 5 carpark that day.
The New Paper reported on Tuesday that passers-by called the police after they found him slumped in his Toyota with the driver's door open.
Mr Tan's brother-in-law, Mr Jeffrey Sim, told TNP that Mr Tan, 40, had complained of chest pains before Monday and was advised by his wife, a sales assistant, to see a doctor.
But Mr Tan, an independent interior designer, postponed the medical appointment to meet a client instead.
Mr Sim, 30, said Mr Tan was a hardworking man who would do his best to fulfil a client's requests.
"And because he was his own boss and staff, he had to work doubly hard. That was probably why he was so tired," he said.
He added that Mr Tan would always put his family before anything else.
He was very close to his family and was a loving father to his eight-year-old son and seven-year-old daughter.
"Everywhere he went, he would take his kids along, unless he had to work," Mr Sim said.
Hypertension
Chinese evening daily Lianhe Wanbao reported that Mr Tan was an occasional smoker, but did not drink. He had hypertension that required medication to keep in check.
Mr Tan was found in the driver's seat with his feet still on the accelerator pedal at about noon. The engine was running.
TNP understands that when Mr Tan was found, he had died from heart failure.
His family knew about his death only when his body was en route to the mortuary.
They would also like to thank the passers-by for helping out and doing their part as citizens.
Don't be alarmed by flu cases
The public should not be alarmed by a cluster of influenza cases at a childcare centre in Pasir Ris, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Tuesday.
Eight children attending the Aces Montessori Kidz (Downtown East) were down with the flu and another 10 children had flu-like symptoms.
Two children were kept under observation for two days.
The other 16 either self-medicated or received outpatient treatment, MOH said. All of them are recovering.
MOH has advised the childcare centre on infection control measures.
There are three seasonal influenza strains that circulate in Singapore and throughout the world. These are influenza A (H1N1), influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B.
There has been no evidence to suggest an increase in the virulence of the influenza A (H1N1) virus, MOH said.
Influenza is generally a mild illness, though there may sometimes be complications such as pneumonia.
Anyone with symptoms such as fever, cough, headache, sore throat and muscle aches should see a doctor.
As far as possible, they should stay home and avoid crowded places. They should also ensure good personal hygiene.
Annual vaccination is advised for children between the ages of six months and five years, adults older than 65 and those with chronic illnesses.
congxuw@sph.com.sg
Get The New Paper for more stories.