Tearful farewell for 4-year-old girl killed in traffic accident

Eleanor Tan died after she was hit by a car while crossing the road in Bukit Batok Central on Monday.
Eleanor Tan died after she was hit by a car while crossing the road in Bukit Batok Central on Monday.

The little girl who always wanted to be a princess was given a farewell befitting one yesterday.

Service Hall 2 at Mandai Crematorium was filled with colourful balloons and roses at 6.45pm as family, neighbours and friends bid a tearful farewell to four-year-old Eleanor Tan, who was killed in a traffic accident in Bukit Batok Central.

Eleanor and the family maid - Ms Su Su Hlaing, 37 - were hit by a car while crossing the road near their home on Monday. Ms Hlaing has been hospitalised with spinal injuries and multiple fractures on her right leg and pelvic region.

The 53-year-old male driver was arrested for causing death by a rash act and is now out on bail.

Eleanor's family wanted her remembered with things she was fond of. At the wake at Block 363, Bukit Batok Street 31, earlier in the afternoon, Eleanor's grandmother was seen preparing chocolates, cereal, fruits and milk.

They were for her beloved granddaughter, said the grandmother who wanted to be known only as Madam Lin, 47.

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"My granddaughter loved to eat everything, and she would always share what she had with her friends," she told The Straits Times.

The girl's grandaunt Amy Lin, who is in her 50s, said: "Eleanor was a bubbly and lovable girl who always wanted to be a princess. When we heard the news, we were devastated. She was so young."

Neighbour Raisin Xu, 32, was also there to pay her respects, having known Eleanor and her family since they moved to the Bukit Batok estate earlier this year.

The housewife said: "I would often see her and her parents around. She was a happy and cheerful girl."

"I heard she liked to give out flowers - that is why everyone here has one," added Madam Xu, gesturing to the pink and red roses held by people at the wake.

Eleanor's mother, Ms Jacelyn Wong, 24, declined to speak to the media at the wake.

The girl's grandfather, a private-hire car driver who gave his name only as Mr Ang, 53, told Shin Min Daily News that Eleanor was a brave girl who had cataract surgery when she was three and was scheduled for another operation on Sunday to further correct her vision.

Police investigations are ongoing.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 12, 2017, with the headline Tearful farewell for 4-year-old girl killed in traffic accident. Subscribe