Nine still in hospital after Jurong West bus accident; all in stable condition

Forty-four people were taken to hospital after a double-decker bus collided into another in Jurong West on Dec 14. Nine of them are still in hospital.SINGAPORE – Nine people – eight passengers and a bus driver – remain hospitalised on Dec 15 after an accident in Jurong West the previous day that involved two double-decker buses.All of them are in stable condition, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and bus operators Tower Transit Singapore and SBS Transit in response to queries from The Straits Times.The bus driver still in hospital was the one behind the wheel of Tower Transit’s bus service 98, which rear-ended the SBS Transit-run bus service 99 on Dec 14.The SBS Transit bus driver was discharged on Dec 14. LTA, Tower Transit Singapore and SBS Transit added that they will continue checking in on their drivers’ well-being and provide support, including professional counselling, if necessary.Tower Transit Singapore also carried out safety briefings at its bus depots Dec 15 morning to “reinforce critical safety protocols” and ensure that its bus captains remain focused on road safety.The transport operator is also working closely with the authorities to conduct a “thorough investigation” into the accident.The accident took place at about 10.55am on Dec 14 in Jurong West Avenue 1, when the Tower Transit Singapore bus hit the stationary SBS Transit bus, resulting in 44 people being taken to hospital.Photos taken after the accident show the windscreen of the Tower Transit bus badly damaged, as well as blood inside one of the buses. The glass at the back of the SBS Transit bus was also smashed.LTA had apologised for the “hurt and distress” the accident caused, with witnesses saying that they saw people bleeding as paramedics attended to them. A 49-year-old bus driver is assisting with investigations, the police said.Late on Dec 14, Senior Minister of State for Transport Murali Pillai had said 23 of the 44 people injured in the accident had been discharged.Tower Transit Singapore is assisting affected passengers with their claims, but LTA, Tower Transit Singapore and SBS Transit said the transport operators are still trying to contact about 10 people who were discharged but did not speak to them.“We urge these passengers or their family members to contact us at their earliest convenience, so we can offer our support,” it said.Passengers who were on board and need help may contact Tower Transit by phone on 1800-248-0950, or by e-mail at feedback@towertransit.sg.SBS Transit said affected passengers may contact it on 1800-287-2727 or at customercare@sbstransit.com.sg.Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproductionDiscover how to enjoy other premium articles here