SINGAPORE - A man was kick-starting a motorcycle along the pavement of a housing estate when it surged forward and hit an elderly pedestrian.

On Monday (May 16), Lim Yang Lian, 54, was jailed for two weeks and banned from driving for three years after he admitted causing the death of Madam Ang Siew Eng, 72, along the pavement at Block 727 Clementi West Street 2 on May 29 last year.

The court heard that Lim had problems starting his brother's motorcycle that morning and decided to kick-start the engine when it was still on the pavement.

On his third attempt, the motorcycle surged forward. As a result, Lim lost control of the motorcycle and was unable to brake.

When the motorcycle surged forward, it hit Madam Ang who was walking across the pavement several metres away. She fell backwards and landed on her head.

A doctor from Family Life Clinic nearby came and tried to perform first aid on Madam Ang.

Madam Ang, who was in a coma, was sent to National University Hospital where she underwent an emergency operation. She died four days later from head injuries.

Lim's lawyer Goh Peck San said Lim did not anticipate that there were people walking past in front of the motorcycle.

Urging the court to impose a fine, he said Lim was remorseful and deeply sorry for what had happened. Lim had also tried to contact the deceased's family members.

Lim, who had a previous conviction for rash driving in 1978, could have been jailed for up to two years and fined for causing death by doing a negligent act.