Grab driver crashes car in Katong after suffering medical emergency; passengers not injured

SINGAPORE – A Grab driver suffered a medical emergency while ferrying passengers and crashed into a traffic light in Katong on the night of March 16.

The driver, a 66-year-old man, was taken to hospital conscious. His passengers were not injured.

The car skidded at the junction of Tanjong Rhu Road, Meyer Road and Fort Road, then crashed into a traffic light, said the police.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force and police said in response to queries that they were alerted to the accident at about 9.30pm on March 16.

The driver was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, and is assisting with ongoing police investigations.

Recounting the incident in a social media post, Xiaohongshu user Caicaixi, a passenger in the car, said she was seated in the back seat with a friend on the way home.

The driver had a coughing bout while the car was at a red light at the junction, leading her to suspect “something was off”, she wrote in her post.

The car then began inching forward, even as the traffic light stayed red, she said.

“My friend quickly tapped the driver, who seemed to be gasping for air and losing consciousness,” she said, adding that her friend asked if the driver was okay.

“That’s when we realised something was seriously wrong.”

The driver seemed to regain consciousness after a few more taps, she added, but suddenly stepped on the accelerator, sending the car straight into the traffic light ahead.

The driver seemed to become more alert after the crash and apologised to the duo, who advised him to exit the vehicle as soon as possible, said Caicaixi.

“Fortunately, no one was injured,” she wrote, adding that at the time of the accident, there were no oncoming vehicles at the junction.

In response to queries, a Grab spokesperson said: “The incident occurred after our driver-partner suffered a sudden medical emergency during the trip.

“He is now recovering, and we are stepping in to manage his insurance documentation and waive his rental charges to ease any financial stress during his treatment.”

Grab has contacted the passenger and issued a full refund, the spokesperson said.

“We are committed to supporting both the passenger and our driver-partner throughout their recovery,” the spokesperson said.

Grab said its drivers have access to subsidised healthcare and health screenings under its GrabBenefits programme. It advised drivers to prioritise their health and to make full use of these resources.

“At the end of the day, we want our partners to stay healthy and safe – not just for their passengers, but so they can return home safely to their families after every shift,” the spokesperson added.