• The police said on Monday that they have arrested a 65-year-old bus driver over Sunday's collision between two buses at Bukit Batok interchange
• The man was detained for allegedly committing a rash act causing grevious hurt
• Bu operator Tower Transit said that 11 people who were taken to hospital have been discharged
• Four remain warded

SINGAPORE — A 65-year-old bus driver has been arrested following a collision between two buses at the Bukit Batok interchange on Sunday afternoon (July 11), the police said on Monday.

"A 65-year-old male bus driver was arrested for (a) rash act causing grievous hurt. Police investigations are ongoing," they said in a statement, without giving more details on the identity of the driver.

Bus operator Tower Transit said on Monday that 11 people who were taken to the hospital after the accident have been discharged, while four remain warded. 

In response to TODAY’s queries, the firm added that its bus driver who was taken to a hospital on Sunday night remains warded with non-critical injuries.

“We’re in touch with them and will continue to check in on them over the coming days,” Tower Transit said.

Safety reminders have been issued to all staff members.

“The well-being of our staff and passengers is paramount at this moment and we will do our best to support them and their families, and assist with their medical and insurance claims.”

The collision between two buses at the interchange on Sunday injured 17 people and left one of the buses lying on its side after it plummeted 2m.

A Facebook post by Bukit Batok Member of Parliament Murali Pillai said that one of the buses was pulling into the interchange while the other was heading out before the incident happened. Both were buses on route 945, a feeder service operated by Tower Transit.

Closed-circuit television footage that made rounds on social media on Monday showed that a man was flung off the railing at the interchange and narrowly escaped being crushed by the bus.

Tower Transit declined to verify if the man in the video was the SBS Transit bus driver, adding that the video was circulated without authorisation and the company is investigating the matter.

Ms Tammy Tan, SBS Transit’s senior vice-president of corporate communications, said in response to TODAY’s queries that its bus driver, who was standing on the pavement, was hurt by one of the buses.

“He remains warded at the hospital. We are in close contact with his family and are rendering all assistance."

On Sunday, Mr Melvin Yong, executive secretary of the National Transport Workers' Union, said that the 17 injured people comprised the two drivers of the affected buses, 14 passengers, and an SBS Transit bus driver who was having a break when he got injured by the falling bus.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that eight people were taken to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, four to National University Hospital, and two to Tan Tock Seng Hospital. The remaining three had minor injuries and refused to go to a hospital.

SCDF and the police gave the total number of people taken to hospital as 14 while Tower gave the figure as 15.

Tower Transit said on Sunday night that it is assisting the police with investigations and the driver of the bus without passengers has been suspended from work pending the investigation. He was not injured.

Passengers involved in the accident may contact Tower Transit at 1800 248 0950 or email feedback [at] towertransit.sg or visit its passenger service offices at Jurong East or Bukit Batok bus interchanges.