Biker so lucky to survive BKE accident
Motorcyclist in apparent hit-and-run
One minute he was heading home on his motorcycle, the next he was in shock and lying on the expressway.
Unable to see through his swollen eyes, he could taste blood in his mouth and feel the wet road on his back.
But Mr Kelvin Seo had no idea what had happened.
The 29-year-old said: "All of a sudden I was lying in the middle of the road during peak period, not knowing anything at all.
"I tasted blood in my mouth and felt that my face was wet. I could hear cars whizzing by for a while, then I blacked out again."
The accounts manager at MyRepublic would later find out that his Kymco motorcycle had been involved in an apparent hit-and-run accident with a car on the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE).
He had been going towards Woodlands on Wednesday at about 7pm.
When he regained consciousness, Mr Seo found himself in an ambulance, confused and disorientated. He even asked the paramedic where he was and what day it was.
Speaking to The New Paper at his Bukit Panjang flat yesterday, he said: "It felt like I was asleep and I was in a dream."
Mr Seo would also find out later that other motorists had stopped to tend him as he lay injured on the expressway for about half an hour.
One of them, Mr Asrin Abas, 42, told TNP that he was in his car with his two young daughters when he saw Mr Seo tumble from his motorbike. He immediately stopped by the side of the expressway. Two other drivers also stopped to help.
Mr Asrin said he had not seen what caused the accident, but another driver told him that he had seen a car hit the motorcycle from behind and drove off.
"I saw him fall like a crash dummy, rolling and making several turns before landing two lanes away," Mr Asrin said.
"Thankfully, the vehicles behind were not speeding, otherwise Mr Seo might have lost his life. He is very lucky."
NO SERIOUS INJURIES
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it sent an ambulance to the scene and Mr Seo was taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH).
At the hospital, he received treatment to his wounds on the head, arms and legs and was sent for scans to check for fractures and internal bleeding.
Although Mr Seo could not recall what he did after the accident, he had given his mother's contact details to Mr Azrin, who phoned her to tell her about the accident.
Three of Mr Seo's friends and his mother rushed to the Emergency and Accident (A&E) unit in KTPH.
One of the friends, Mr Ng Tek Kiang, told TNP yesterday: "Kelvin's mother was crying uncontrollably while waiting for the scan results. We were all afraid that there would be permanent injuries to his brain."
Fortunately, there were no serious injuries and he was discharged yesterday.
The police said that investigations are ongoing and they have yet to confirm if it was a hit-and-run accident. No arrest has been made.
Mr Seo's friend, Mr Zack Lim, is appealing on his Facebook page for more witnesses to the accident to come forward. The post has had more than 600 shares in less than 24 hours, he said.
Mr Seo said: "I'm very thankful for the witnesses, especially Mr Azrin and all my friends. It's wonderful to know that there are still good Samaritans in Singapore."
Lawyer Luke Lee from Luke Lee & Co, told TNP that if the accident is confirmed as a hit-and-run, the driver could face several charges if he is apprehended.
They include failing to stop at the scene of an accident, failing to render assistance, failing to report an accident within 24 hours, removing his vehicle from the accident scene and possibly negligent or dangerous driving.
He also said the penalties, which could include jail terms, fines and disqualification from driving, would differ from case to case and the severity of the accident.
He has been in 4 other accidents
Wednesday's accident is Mr Kelvin Seo's fifth in a decade of motorcycle riding.
The 29-year-old revealed this when asked if his latest mishap would put him off riding.
"I've had four previous accidents with my motorcycle," he said.
In an incident about seven years ago, Mr Seo had skidded and fell off his bike when he tried to sweep a spider off his body. He ended up with bruises and cuts.
In another accident, he was flung off his bike after being hit by a car. He escaped with abrasions.
LOSING END
Mr Seo said that motorcyclists are often at the losing end in an accident.
"I hope that other riders will be more careful, as we are not as protected like drivers," he said.
"In an accident, we are the ones who usually end up getting injured."
When TNP visited the Seos' Bukit Panjang flat yesterday, Mr Seo's 24-year-old sister, Kelly, was sitting beside him.
"The entire family is worried for your safety. Please get a car instead," she told her brother.
Miss Seo said she had come home on Wednesday night to find their father sitting anxiously in the living room.
He had received a text message from his wife that their son had been in an accident. When he failed to reach her after several calls, he was left imagining the worst.
Mr Seo, who has a car driving licence, conceded that the severity of the latest accident and his family's objections have made him consider giving up his two-wheeler for a car.
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