The driver of a black car that carried drugs fled after it crashed into a mini- schoolbus early on Wednesday morning, leaving behind an injured passenger.

The accident in Serangoon Road, near Boon Keng MRT station, took place at about 6.20am.

Eyewitnesses said they saw the driver stepping out of the wrecked car - its engine compartment crumpled to the windscreen - and walking away. Inside the car was a man who could not move.

The police arrived with sniffer dogs to give the car a thorough check.

A Mr Lu told evening daily Lianhe Wanbao that eight policemen carried out the search and they removed several plastic and paper bags from the car.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it received a call at 6.29am and sent an ambulance, a fire engine and a support vehicle to the scene.

A man in his 20s, who was conscious, had back injuries and chest pains, and was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Paramedics also attended to the mini-schoolbus driver and two primary school pupils at the accident scene. The schoolbus driver left the scene with the pupils after assisting police in their investigations.

The Straits Times understands that the car driver is at large, while his passenger is under police guard at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Police said investigations are ongoing.

LIM YAN LIANG