Watch: SCDF awards 16 for helping to save man pinned under truck

Mr Asif Iqbal was on his way to lunch when he saw a group of people trying to lift a truck off a man who was pinned underneath.

At first Mr Asif, 33, joined in the collective effort of about 30 people to push the truck, but soon realised that someone also had to pull the trapped man out from under the truck.

Mr Asif Iqbal receiving the award from Lieutenant Colonel Alan Chow. TNP PHOTOS: AZIM AZMAN

"I went under the lorry and saw that the man was quite far in," said the 33-year-old software engineer from India.

"I came out from under the lorry and I saw another younger man was also planning to pull the guy out."

At first, Mr Asif and the younger man decided to try to pull him out by pulling on the accident victim's coat, but the victim's coat tore.

The Straits Times reported on July 23, that a Filipino design engineer who only wanted to be known as Dennis and an Indian man had helped to pull the man out from under the truck.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) recognised 16 people on Sunday (July 26)  for their efforts in helping to rescue South Korean Mr Kim Seong Mo, 35. 

One of his legs had gotten pinned under the truck's rear tyre after an accident along the junction of Bendemeer Road and Boon Keng Road on Wednesday (July 22).

Thirteen people were awarded with the certificate of public spiritedness for helping to push the lorry, while three others received a certificate of appreciation for notifying SCDF about the accident.

 

 

There were at least two attempts to pull the victim out from under the truck.

Mr Samsuddin Musha, 53, joined in to help during the second attempt.

Mr Samsuddin Musa with his award. 

Mr Samsuddin, a driver for Nishimatsu Construction, was waiting for his boss to finish up a meeting when he heard a loud commotion just outside his office building.

He went out to take a look.

"At first I was a bit scared to help but I brushed away those feelings them and help them to pull the man out," said Mr Samsuddin.

After they pulled him out they waited for the ambulance.

Mr Kim suffered a fracture to his right leg and is now recovering at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. 

Lieutenant Colonel Alan Chow, commander of 1st SCDF divison said: "We want to applaud and acknowledge that act by awarding them with this award.

"We think that this incident underlines the importance of bystander responders and we want to actively encourage people to pick up emergency preparedness skills."

Said Mr Samsuddin, who had plans to go Hari Raya visiting after the award ceremony: "Almost 30 years ago, I myself was involved in an road accident so I could empathise with the man and wanted to help him.

"I understand what it feels like to need help, so I just did what any normal human being would do."

Hero now wants to volunteer his time

Mr Crispin Orino III receiving the award from Lieutenant Colonel Alan Chow. TNP PHOTO: AZIM AZMAN

After receiving his award, Mr Crispin Orino III, who was one of the first who responded by trying to push the truck off the pinned man, spoke to SCDF officers about how he could volunteer with them on a regular basis. 

"Helping someone who is in trouble is the usual human response," he said. "If I have a chance to volunteer my efforts in any way that I can, then why not?"

The 41-year-old engineer with Continental Tires said he was part of Continental's quick response fire brigade team back when he was still based in the company's office in the Philippines.

Members of the public can volunteer with SCDF by signing up with the Civil Defence Auxiliary Unit. They can also help through SCDF's myResponder app, which alerts users to nearby cases of cardiac arrests so they can provide assistance.