Woman says PMD user hit her with slipper after she shouted at him to slow down, other riders push her
Her glasses flew off.
A woman alleged that a man riding a personal mobility device (PMD) hit her face with his slipper after she shouted at him to slow down.
Three other PMD riders then ganged up and pushed her to the ground, causing her to injure her right knee and left elbow, said Stomper Gladys.
In response to a Stomp query, the police said they were alerted to a call for assistance at 3 Sembawang Crescent on July 27 at about 4.10pm.
Four persons, aged between 36 and 41, are assisting with investigations for voluntarily causing hurt and intentional harassment.
The 49-year-old Stomper was leaving her condominium via the back gate with her dog at around 4.05pm when it happened.
"As that route always has lots of fast-moving PMDSs and cyclists, I stood at the gate and pop my head out to look at the situation before stepping out," she recounted.
"One PMD drove past at a very high speed. I shouted to him to slow down and not go so fast. Then three or four PMDs zoomed past me.
"The first PMD stopped. The driver alighted and shouted back at me saying that I should be the one avoiding them and not them avoiding me. Then he started taking out his slipper and walking towards me. I immediately said I was going to call the police as I sense danger."
The Stomper said another PMD rider stood in front of her as the first PMD rider hit her face with his slipper, which sent her spectacles flying. The second PMD rider pushed her hand, which caused her to drop her phone.
"Then one of them pushed me to the ground," said the Stomper.
"As I was trying to get up and reach for my phone, they pushed me again and another lady from the same group got off her PMD and pushed me to the ground again."
"I managed only to snap a photo of their backs as I was very worried that they would take my phone and throw it onto the road."
"They did not even help me up or apologise. After a while, all of them rode off very fast," said the Stomper, who shared a video of the incident taken by a worker at a construction site across the road who went to check on her.
After the police and paramedics arrived, she refused to be taken to the hospital.
"While taking my statement, the police officer's colleagues radioed him and told him they had found the gang of PMD riders. But I was informed no arrest can be made. Only particulars were taken down," said the Stomper.
"I was taken aback by this law. I had sustained injuries caused by them. Yet nothing can be done! I was advised to go to the nearest hospital for the doctor to check my wounds and a medical report to be written. I was also told that only if the court order is given, the police will then investigate."
The 1.55m-tall woman said: "Though my external injuries were not serious, I was greatly traumatised by having three to five big-size humans towering over me. It was like a hooligan gang fight! Till now, I'm still unable to sleep.
"I kept wondering if I am not right to tell them not to ride at such high speed? What did I do wrong for them to push me and gang up to bully me, being helpless and unable to defend myself at all. I can't imagine if a child or old person told them off. Or even worse, get hit by their fast-moving PMDs?
"When I am alone and look at my wounds, my tears kept falling and I can't help thinking, am I wrong to be kind-hearted to warn them about it?"
Police investigations are ongoing.
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