SMRT technical officer killed, another injured while doing repair work at Ang Mo Kio bus depot

SINGAPORE — A 43-year-old SMRT technical officer died of a serious head injury after an accident at Ang Mo Kio bus depot on Sunday (June 6) while carrying out repair work on a mini-bus.

The 43-year-old was unconscious when taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and later succumbed to his injuries, SMRT said.

The public transport operator did not say what happened or what caused the accident.

Another 44-year-old staff member was injured in the accident, which occured at the automotive services commercial repair centre at the depot.

Of the two men, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that one had sustained a severe head injury, while the other had complained of chest pain, and that both were taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.

Mr Venkatesan PV, general manager of automotive services at SMRT, said in a statement on Wednesday: “We have conveyed our deepest condolences to the staff’s family and are providing assistance and support at this very difficult time.

“We are also providing care and support to the injured staff, who has been discharged and is on medical leave.”

The police confirmed that they were notified of the incident at 6 Ang Mo Kio Street 62 — the location of the bus depot — at about 9.40am.

Investigations into the unnatural death are ongoing.

Mr Venkatesan said that a stop-work order has been issued to the repair centre at Ang Mo Kio Depot and the other automotive workshops conducted a safety time-out.

He added that SMRT is assisting the Ministry of Manpower and the police with investigations.

In March last year, a technical officer employed by rail operator SMRT was using a hydraulic press machine at Bishan Depot when he was killed. 

A 2.9kg rod flew out of the machine, penetrated a metal fence, and struck 30-year-old Muhammad Afiq Senawi in the face.

Afiq was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, but further efforts to resuscitate him failed. He was pronounced dead at about 11am on the same day.