Chinese newspaper Shin Min Daily News reported today about another malfunctioning lift accident in which a 68-year-old woman was injured. The incident happened on 9 June at about 9am at Block 285 Bukit Batok East Ave 3.
The old woman told reporters that she took the lift to go to the shops nearby to buy groceries when the accident happened. She said the lift vibrated as it was going down and when it opened it did not align fully with the ground.
The woman who did not notice the 30 centimeters gap between the floor of the lift and the ground level, tripped and fell. She fractured her wrists and bruised her left eye. She said that she was unable to open her eyes for two days. Her wrists are still in casts.
Secretary-General of the Singapore Democratic Party, Dr Chee Soon Juan has also commented on the recent lifts malfunctioning and accidents. Writing in his Facebook Dr Chee said:
“Three months ago, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said that “Beyond the installation, the rest of it really depends on MAINTENANCE. Regular, good checks and a proper inspection regime…That’s the responsibility of every town council.” (emphasis added)
Since then, there were another three lift malfunctions with one resulting in a woman fracturing her spine and the other in a death.
Yesterday, the BCA admitted that “the overall standard of MAINTENANCE by lift contractors can be further improved.” (again, emphasis added)
Question: Why did the town councils not act with greater urgency to maintain the lifts that could have prevented further accidents? Will there be an audit done on the town councils’ lift-maintenance records?”