Elderly woman in killer litter case 'in stable condition'

Madam Mahani Abdullah was walking below Block 1 Eunos Crescent when a bicycle tyre hit her on the head. -- FILE PHOTO: ST FILE
Madam Mahani Abdullah was walking below Block 1 Eunos Crescent when a bicycle tyre hit her on the head. -- FILE PHOTO: ST FILE

The elderly woman who was hit by a bicycle tyre thrown from a block of flats last Friday is in stable condition and out of intensive care, her son said yesterday.

Madam Mahani Abdullah, 67, had undergone spinal cord surgery at the Singapore General Hospital on Monday to regain the use of her limbs. She had regained consciousness by Tuesday.

"Doctors said the surgery went okay, and we're hoping that there won't be any complications," said Mr Jusman Abdul Aziz, 35, an executive at a freight forwarding company. "It's still early, but right now they said (her condition) has stabilised."

He added that his mother had been on a diet of soft food since Tuesday and was no longer on a drip, but was still unable to move her arms and legs because of her head and spinal injuries.

"She was very fit for her age, and kept herself healthy by doing qigong every morning and going for brisk walks with others from the Residents' Committee (RC)," said Mr Jusman. "I hope she regains some of her mobility, as she's so used to moving around and being independent."

Madam Mahani was walking below Block 1, Eunos Crescent last Friday at about 3pm when the bicycle tyre landed on her head, Shin Min Daily News reported.

Mr Jusman said he and his brother have been taking turns keeping vigil by her side, but things have been difficult as they have a bedridden sister who also needs looking after. "For the time being, my aunties are helping me to take care of my mum and also my sister, but they are also at an age where they are not that strong any more," he said.

The 16-year-old boy who allegedly threw the bicycle tyre was charged in court with committing a rash act in connection with the incident, the latest in a recent series of "killer litter" cases.

He is believed to be the same teenager who was arrested last December after a brick hurled from his flat at the same block injured a passer-by.

Police received reports of four "killer litter" cases at the Eunos Crescent address between June 22 and Dec 13 last year. Items thrown included bricks, a dumb-bell and a water dispenser.

yanliang@sph.com.sg

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