Man collapses at Bukit Merah coffee shop, birdwatcher allegedly blocks ambulance with his camera and tripod
A photographer has been slammed for allegedly blocking an ambulance in Bukit Merah.
According to a Facebook post by coffee shop owner Danny Lek, the ambulance was called after an elderly man fainted at the coffee shop on July 7.
Mr Lek shared that he and two other customers tried to help the man sit up, but upon noticing he was not well, called for an ambulance immediately.
"When the ambulance reached, because it's a 2-lane car park, one lorry delivering drinks was also coming in," he wrote.
"I signalled at the lorry driver to move to the right to let the ambulance in."
However, Mr Lek claimed that a man with a telescopic camera on a tripod refused to move aside even as the ambulance approached.
"This bloody 'bird-watching' idiot [was] standing in the middle of the left lane with his precious camera, blocking and ignoring the ambulance," he wrote.
Danny said he shouted at the man to move but the birdwatcher allegedly stared at him and remained in place as bystanders started looking at him.
"Finally, he moved after I raised my voice even higher," said Danny. "F** moron."
He ended the post by urging others to share it, saying: "Please share to make him famous!"
In response to a Stomp query, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed that it received a call for assistance at Block 111 Jalan Bukit Merah at about 4.30pm and conveyed one person to Singapore General Hospital.
The area has drawn attention in recent weeks due to the appearance of a family of red-breasted parakeets, with many birdwatchers and photographers flocking to the estate.
Even Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing, who is also an MP for the area, visited the site on July 5 and shared a video of the birds on his Instagram, calling them "colourful new residents".
