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Stretch of SLE closed after cement truck overturns

SINGAPORE — An accident involving a cement truck on Monday morning (April 18) prompted the authorities to close off a stretch of the Seletar Expressway (SLE), after the Upper Thomson Exit heading towards the Central Expressway (CTE).

A cement truck overturned along SLE early on Monday morning .Photo: Lee Saik Keen via Channel NewsAsia

A cement truck overturned along SLE early on Monday morning .Photo: Lee Saik Keen via Channel NewsAsia

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SINGAPORE — An accident involving a cement mixer truck on Monday morning (April 18) prompted the authorities to close off a stretch of the Seletar Expressway (SLE), after the Upper Thomson Exit heading towards the Central Expressway (CTE).

The accident, which occurred at around 3.14am, saw traffic in both directions affected. Upon arrival at the scene, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it found the truck overturned and lying on the driver's side. The impact of the accident also resulted in the truck's front cabin to be badly crushed into a tree, and the driver’s lower body was trapped by the steering wheel and dashboard.

It took nearly two-and-a-half hours to rescue the driver. The rescuers had to first secure and stabilise the truck before gaining access to the trapped driver by cutting through the windscreen. They also faced the challenge of working in a confined area to extricate the driver by means of a slew of hydraulic rescue equipment. A crane was also utilised in the course of the intricate operation.

SCDF Emergency Medical Specialists were at the scene from the onset of the rescue operation to closely monitor the vital signs of the conscious driver. In addition, a medical team from Khoo Teck Puat Hospital was on-site to render medical assistance.

At 8.10am, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) tweeted that the traffic congestion on the SLE (towards the CTE) was backed up to the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) entrance. There was a traffic jam in the opposite direction as well, up to the Tampines Expressway (TPE) exit, the LTA tweeted at 7.31am.

A police advisory on Facebook urged motorists to find alternative routes.

The driver, who is in his 30s, was conscious and in a stable condition when he was taken to the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. He had sustained fractures to his hip and thigh

Police say the truck was towed at around 8.20am. The SLE was re-opened at around 10am.

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