The elder of the two boys who died in a horrific accident in Tampines on Monday had fetched his younger brother from CCA on his bicycle, and both were heading home, said Mr Baey Yam Keng, an MP for Tampines GRC.
He told The Straits Times at the accident site Tuesday morning: "Think the elder brother was fetching the younger brother home after CCA. Apparently that was his first day at CCA at wushu."
The two boys were hit by a cement mixer at about 5.40pm at the junction of Tampines Avenue 9 and Tampines Street 45. The Singaporean driver has been arrested.
The younger boy was riding pillion on the bicycle. One boy died instantly and the other died soon after.
Mr Baey said he has visited the family and they were naturally devastated by the tragedy. "I heard from the grandmother that they are very sensible kids, that's why they are okay for the elder brother to fetch his younger brother home," he said.
The MP was spotted surveying the accident site at about 10.45am Tuesday.
Revealing more details of what could have happened, he said the cement mixer was likely heading to a nearby Build-to-Order HDB project where two blocks are currently being built. There is also an MRT construction site nearby.
He said that heavy vehicles need to be more careful around school and residential areas and that he has asked the HDB and Land Transport Authority if there was a safer route these vehicles could take, where it is not near schools or pedestrian crossings.
Mr Baey said he is thinking of holding a candlelight vigil for the boys but nothing has been confirmed. "I think there will be people who want to show their support," he said.
Madam Hong Thi Vy, 42, a Vietnamese who lives at the block adjacent to the accident site, witnessed the accident. She was seen putting joss sticks and fruit by the grass patch at the site on Tuesday morning.
She said she was taking her baby for a walk when the accident happened. "Boom," she said recounting the impact. "Baby scared...I see, I very sad."
At the accident site, some flowers have been placed at the kerb.
