Sinkhole swallows car at Tanjong Katong Road, heroic workers hailed for rescuing woman
UT, Anonymous, Min Chee, Reymund, Jane, Max, Watson, Kim, LL, Mike, Chng Choon Hua
A black Mazda was swallowed into a sinkhole at Tanjong Katong Road South on July 26.
Several Stompers alerted Stomp to videos circulating online of the shocking incident and the gaping hole in the middle of the road.
According to national water agency PUB, the sinkhole formed at about 5.50pm beside an active construction site where sewer-laying works were under way. A caisson ring in a 16-metre-deep shaft had reportedly failed, causing the adjacent road to collapse.
Stomper Chng Choon Hua told Stomp that he narrowly avoided having his car swallowed by the sinkhole.
"My car was the last vehicle that passed before the sinkhole opened up in Tanjong Katong," he said, sharing footage of him driving over the area.
The female driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, managed to exit the car and was pulled to safety by quick-thinking workers on site using a nylon rope. She was later taken conscious to Raffles Hospital by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).
In an update, SCDF said it will be reaching out to the workers to commend them for their bravery and prompt action in saving a life.
Videos of the aftermath showed the sinkhole rapidly filling with water, which PUB said was due to damaged water mains in the area. Water supply to 18 nearby households was disrupted for over four hours and fully restored by 2.30am the following day.
On July 27, the car was hoisted out of the sinkhole using a crane, reports The Straits Times.
The operation took about 10 minutes. Photos showed the black Mazda with a dented front, smashed windscreen and extensive scratches.
Repair works are still ongoing and the affected stretch of Tanjong Katong Road South, between Mountbatten Road and the East Coast Parkway (ECP), remains closed.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has advised motorists and commuters to plan ahead, as bus services 36 and 48 will continue to be diverted and traffic delays of up to 20 minutes are expected during peak hours.
PUB, LTA, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and the police are working together to investigate the cause of the sinkhole. Engineers have confirmed that nearby buildings, including One Amber condominium and surrounding homes, are not affected.
As a precaution, PUB will conduct a safety time-out to review similar sewer construction projects across the island.
