Tree falls on 2 cars in Dempsey area, private hire driver freed from MPV by spa staff

SINGAPORE - A private hire driver was left unhurt after a tree fell on his car in the Dempsey area on Aug 22.

Saiful, 60, told The Straits Times that he was turning his white Nissan MPV out of the Museum of Ice Cream along Loewen Road when he heard a loud crackling sound.

“I looked up and I could see the tree on the left side of my car slowly toppling in front of me,” he said. “I tried to reverse but some of the tree had already toppled onto the passenger side of my car, crushing the roof on that side of the car”.

The incident left him trapped in the car as he could not open the door from the inside.

Moments later, employees of a spa next to where the accident occurred came out to free him from the driver’s seat.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and an ambulance came shortly after and checked Saiful for injuries but he had none. His family arrived shortly after as well.

SCDF said in a statement that no ambulance assistance was required.

As of 12.45pm, Loewen Road remains blocked as landscape contractors continue to remove parts of the tree from the road. Besides the white MPV, a parked blue BMW was also affected, with parts of the tree falling on its bonnet.

The Straits Times has contacted the Singapore Land Authority and Land Transport Authority for more information.