SINGAPORE – Six bus passengers were injured in an accident involving an SMRT bus and a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) heavy vehicle along Mandai Avenue yesterday afternoon (Jan 11).

The SAF vehicle was carrying a foldable longspan bridge when the accident occurred near the Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said in a press statement today.

Of the six passengers, five were sent to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and were later discharged. SMRT did not reply to TODAY’s queries on the condition of the sixth passenger who was not sent to the hospital.

TODAY understands that two SAF personnel were on board the SAF vehicle, but none were injured.

“Safety is the top priority for MINDEF and the SAF,” said the statement. “Military vehicles follow the Land Transport Authority’s guidelines on public roads and travel on routes approved by the authorities.”

The MINDEF and the SAF take a “serious view” of public road safety and are currently investigating the incident, the statement added.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the accident at 2.54pm yesterday and dispatched three ambulances. TODAY understands that the bus passengers who were sent to the hospital had minor injuries.

Mr Patrick Nathan, SMRT’s Vice-President of Corporate Information and Communications, said:  “We are in touch with the six injured passengers to provide assistance as best we can. The accident is under investigation by SMRT and the police.”