Driver dies after car crashes and flips over in Hougang

A 38-year-old driver died after his car was believed to have crashed into a traffic light and road divider in Hougang, causing it to flip onto its side on Friday (Aug 7).

The incident occurred at around 4.20am that morning at Hougang Avenue 6 towards Hougang Avenue 10.

Photos of the aftermath shared on Facebook by user Eng Seng Teo show a black car lying on its side with its bonnet crushed, next to a broken road railing and surrounded by debris. At least two police cars can be seen at the scene.

Long (transliterated), a 29-year-old passerby, told Shin Min Daily News that he had seen the overturned car and the unconscious driver.

He added that about 10 Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) personnel were at the scene to rescue the trapped driver.

Lin (transliterated), a 60-year-old renovation contractor, told the Chinese daily that she had heard a loud bang and went to take a look. She added that passersby knocked on the car window but received no response and had to wait for SCDF to arrive.

Lin said that the car was only towed away at around 8am that day. She believed the car was travelling at high speed and only came to a stop after hitting a tree.

Footage shared online by the Chinese daily shows a traffic light lying in the middle of the road, which appears to have been uprooted and snapped in two.

In response to AsiaOne's queries, the police and SCDF said they were alerted to the accident at around 4.20am that day.

The car is believed to have skidded on its own, added the police.

The SCDF said a man was found trapped in the car when they arrived and hydraulic rescue equipment was used to free him.

The 38-year-old man was taken unconscious to Sengkang General Hospital, where he later died, according to the authorities.

Police investigations are ongoing.

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esther.lam@asiaone.com