A private-hire car driver crashed into a pillar near the rear gate of the Istana on Saturday morning — the impact was strong enough to dislodge a metal gate, sending it flying over 10 meters before it landed on a grass patch in the protected presidential grounds.
According to various reports, the driver had been traveling with two passengers when the accident took place around 6am along Cavenagh Road. Police confirmed that the 25-year-old male driver, Khairul Anwar, and a 21-year-old female passenger, Nurul Filzah, were conveyed unconscious to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where they subsequently succumbed to their injuries.
Filzah’s partner, 28-year-old Johari Shariff, underwent surgery yesterday afternoon after sustaining injuries to his face, Lianhe Wanbao reported. He remains in a stable condition in Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
Shin Min Daily News reported that Khairul had just exited Bukit Timah Road and was driving towards Orchard Road when he suddenly crashed into the pillar. Pictures taken of the severely wrecked car at the scene of the accident showed the extreme force of the collision.
Friends and family at Khairul’s wake yesterday morning noted to The Straits Times that they knew him as a “safe driver” throughout his job as a logistics driver and a part-time Grab and Uber driver.
Police are currently appealing to those with information, images, and videos related to the accident to assist them in their investigations.
