Woman dies in bus accident; arrested driver suspended pending inquiry

The SCDF said paramedics who arrived at the scene found that Ms Winny Pratiwi had already died. A 64-year-old bus driver was arrested for allegedly causing death by a rash act, said the police.
The SCDF said paramedics who arrived at the scene found that Ms Winny Pratiwi had already died. A 64-year-old bus driver was arrested for allegedly causing death by a rash act, said the police. PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS

A 29-year-old woman died after being struck by an SBS Transit bus in Toh Tuck Avenue on Thursday afternoon.

Ms Winny Pratiwi was believed to be out for lunch when the accident happened at around 12.30pm, Chinese evening news daily Lianhe Wanbao reported.

According to Ms Pratiwi's LinkedIn profile, she worked as an assistant manager in a publishing company in the area and had been employed there since May 2012. She was a graduate of University of Texas at Austin, in the United States.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said paramedics pronounced her dead when they arrived at the scene.

A 64-year-old bus driver was arrested for allegedly causing death by a rash act, said the police.

It is understood that the bus was making a right turn at the traffic lights when it hit Ms Pratiwi.

Ms Pratiwi's mother flew in from Indonesia and arrived at the morgue yesterday morning with luggage in tow, Wanbao said.

She was sobbing inconsolably and declined to be interviewed.

Later in the day, about 50 people were seen at Ms Pratiwi's wake in Sin Ming Drive.

Ms Tammy Tan, senior vice-president of corporate communications at SBS Transit, said the driver has been suspended pending the outcome of police investigations.

"We are very sad that this has happened. We are in touch with her family to extend our deepest condolences and will render assistance and support as best as we can during this difficult time," she said.

Meanwhile, a female cyclist was injured in an accident with a bus yesterday morning at the junction of Woodlands Avenue 2 and Woodlands Avenue 5.

She was taken, unconscious, to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.

The two accidents involving buses follow one that took place about two months ago, when an SMRT bus hit the back of another SMRT bus at a Lentor Avenue bus stop. Fourteen passengers were hurt.

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 12, 2016, with the headline Woman dies in bus accident; arrested driver suspended pending inquiry. Subscribe