Rescuers save man who fell 3m into Hougang canal

It was a fall that looked awful and the rescue mission attracted a huge crowd.

And when the 20 police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officers lifted the sticken victim, they drew cheers and applause.

A 34-year-old man had fallen into a monsoon drain at Hougang Avenue 10, near Block 452, on Sunday at about 2pm.

The man fell about 3m into the drain and is suspected to have suffered injuries to his spine and knees, reported Lianhe Wanbao.

SCDF rescuers who climbed into the drain bandaged his right knee and used a brace on his neck before lifting him out on a stretcher.

ALONE

A witness, who wanted to be known only as Mr Chen, said: "I was walking by with my wife when I saw him sitting in the flood ditch alone with keys beside him."

It is unclear how the man had fallen.

SCDF officers used a 10m-long ladder and a stretcher to rescue the man, reported Wanbao. A fire engine, a Red Rhino and an ambulance were on standby.

About seven officers worked to lift the man onto a stretcher and another 13 rescuers, including onlookers, helped to pull the man up. 
The rescue operation took about 30 minutes. He was sent to Changi General Hospital.