Taxi lands on car in TPE chain collision involving 7 vehicles; 2 taken to hospital

SINGAPORE - A 59-year-old taxi driver and a 31-year-old woman were taken to hospital following a chain collision on the TPE on April 16.

The accident took place after the Punggol Road exit, in the direction of the SLE.

The police said they were alerted to the incident – which involved a taxi, two cars and four trucks – at about 11.05am that day.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force said two people were taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, while another person, who was assessed for minor injuries, declined to be taken to hospital.

Both victims were conscious when taken to hospital, the police added.

In images posted on Facebook group SG Road Vigilante on April 17, a red TransCab taxi and a white car are seen sandwiched between two trucks. The taxi is perched precariously on top of the white car. The bonnet of the white car is smashed and partly dislodged, while the boot and left rear door of the taxi appear crumpled.

Police said investigations are ongoing.

Taxi operator TransCab told The Straits Times that the driver was not ferrying any passengers at the time of the accident.

“We will cooperate fully with the ongoing investigations by the authorities,” said a TransCab spokesperson.

“We have been in contact with the driver’s wife and are closely monitoring his condition. As of now, we understand that he is in stable condition.”

The April 16 accident is the latest in a series of chain collisions on Singapore’s expressways. At least three other multi-vehicle accidents have occurred over the past four months.

On Jan 18,

four people were taken to hospital

after a chain collision involving eight cars and a van along the PIE, after the Stevens Road exit.

On Feb 21,

eight people were injured in a pile-up involving 14 vehicles

– 11 cars, two taxis and a motorcycle – also along the PIE.

Most recently, on March 30,

five people were taken to hospital following a five-vehicle collision

on the same expressway.