Worker injured in viaduct collapse to have surgery as condition worsens

SINGAPORE – The condition of one of the workers injured in last week’s viaduct collapse at Upper Changi Road East has taken “a turn for the worse”.

Mr Gao Li Qin, 49, is undergoing surgery, said Or Kim Peow (OKP), the contractor for the construction of the new viaduct, in a statement on Thursday (July 20).

The Chinese national is employed by Tongda Construction & Engineering, a company sub-contracted by OKP, and had been in the intensive care unit at Changi General Hospital.

OKP said it arranged for Mr Gao’s family members to travel to Singapore. They arrived on Thursday morning.

OKP will pay for the accommodation, transportation and related costs of the two family members during their visit to Singapore.

Its group managing director, Mr Or Toh Wat, said the company was “deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident”.

In one of the worst construction accidents here since the 2004 Nicoll Highway collapse, part of the flyover viaduct being constructed near Upper Changi Road East caved in the wee hours of July 14, killing one worker and injuring 10.

The accident happened at 3.30am while the workers were atop an elevated structure, carrying out decking works for the uncompleted flyover. Investigations showed that the corbels — stone structures on vertical columns that help to prop up horizontal beams that roads are laid on — underneath them suddenly gave way, sending them crashing down.

Mr Or added that OKP would also be providing “all necessary assistance and support” to the six family members of Chen Yinchuan, the worker who died in the accident, when they arrive in Singapore.

“We will continue to cooperate with all relevant stakeholders to render assistance to the affected workers and their families,” Mr Or said.

Meanwhile, the other worker who was in the ICU, Mr Barek Mohammad Abdul, 25, was transferred to the High Dependency Unit. OKP said it would “continue to monitor his condition closely”.

The contractor added that it would continue to cover the income loss of the injured workers while they are recovering. Six workers remain warded in Changi General Hospital.