Motorcyclist sought to help rider despite own injuries

Despite unbearable pain and the sweltering heat of the road beneath him, the only thing the part-time nurse could think of was helping the other motorcyclist lying some 50m in front of him.

But Mr Muhammad Alif Rykell Shah, 20, who had also been flung off his motorcycle in an accident on Sunday in Gambas Avenue, could not get up.

The other motorcyclist, Mr Jason Tan, 24, a food delivery rider, died of his injuries. A van driver, a 36-year-old man, has been arrested for careless driving causing death.

Speaking to The Straits Times on the phone from the intensive care unit at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) yesterday, Mr Alif said: "The only thought I had was to check on him and see if he was okay.

"My only dream in life has been to help people; that's why I chose nursing. The only right thing I could do then was to check on him, but I was in too much pain."

He added: "The pain in my hips was excruciating and the road was very hot. The people who stopped to help me were telling me not to get up, but I could only think of helping him."

Since the accident on Sunday, Mr Alif has been in and out of surgery at KTPH after suffering injuries including a crushed pelvis, cracked ribs, a broken wrist and internal bleeding.

On Sunday, he was on his way to meet his friends at Sembawang Park for his belated birthday celebration - before they would break fast together - when the accident happened in Gambas Avenue towards Yishun Avenue 7 at about 1pm. He was conscious when taken to the hospital.

Mr Alif, who is waiting to enlist in national service, has been saving up to pay his own way through a nursing diploma in the future. He works at KTPH and helps support his family of seven.

His mother, Madam Siti Sarah A. Rahim, 42, told ST that she and her husband, Mr Dudy Widjaya, 47, had been doing laundry near their home when they got a call from the police about their son.

The couple rushed to KTPH, passing by the accident site.

"We were so relieved when they said he was in the hospital, but when we reached the hospital, the doctor said there was a 50-50 chance. That was heartbreaking," said Madam Siti Sarah, a healthcare worker in a nursing home.

She and her husband, a delivery driver, have five children aged between 17 and 24. The couple said the close-knit family cried when they heard the news.

Madam Siti Sarah said her son, despite not being able to feed himself or go to the toilet on his own, has been insisting on not disturbing the nurses unless the pain becomes unbearable.

"He's been asking me every day 'Will I be a burden?' That's all he's worried about."

She added that she is prepared to leave her job to care for her son should he need full-time help.

"He has never caused us any problems and helps out so much, so now why not I do it for him," said Madam Siti Sarah, adding that the doctors told her he might be in hospital for three to six months, and will need rehabilitation and therapy after that.

Crowdfunding - similar to one for Mr Tan's widow - has been started for Mr Alif to help his family foot his medical bills and rehabilitation. The aim is to reach $100,000, and as at 7.30pm yesterday, about $13,700 from 313 people had been raised.

Donations can be made at https://give.asia/campaign/help-alif-family-raise-funds-for-his-medical-bills-and-rehab#

The fund-raising campaign for Mr Tan's widow, started by charity platform Ray of Hope on Tuesday, exceeded its target of $200,000 yesterday morning, with more than $201,500 collected from about 3,500 donors.

Donations can be made at https://rayofhope.sg/campaign/ family-of-food-delivery-rider-left-in-shock-and-grief-after-his-accident