SINGAPORE — A 64-year-old motorist was taken to hospital after his car reportedly skidded and overturned on the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE), triggering significant traffic congestion along one of Singapore’s busiest expressways on Thursday afternoon, November 5, 2026.
The accident happened at approximately 2.05pm along the PIE towards Tuas, near the Stevens Road exit.
The incident drew attention after a video circulated on TikTok showing the overturned vehicle and the driver sitting on the exposed upper side of the car while emergency personnel worked to bring him safely to the ground.
Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) responders were seen positioning a ladder beside the vehicle and using stabilising wedges to secure it during the rescue operation.
Two lanes were cordoned off as emergency personnel attended to the incident.
According to information provided by the Singapore Police Force and SCDF to AsiaOne, the vehicle is believed to have skidded before flipping onto its side.
The 64-year-old male driver was conscious when he was transported to Alexandra Hospital.
Police said he is assisting with ongoing investigations.
Car Flips Onto Its Side Near Stevens Road Exit
The accident occurred during the afternoon along the PIE towards Tuas, near the Stevens Road exit.
Footage shared by TikTok user Chris Eng showed the car lying on its side on the expressway.
The driver could be seen positioned on the vehicle while emergency responders worked around the overturned car.
SCDF personnel used a ladder to help bring the motorist down, while wedges were placed to stabilise the vehicle and prevent further movement during the operation.
The circumstances leading to the crash have not yet been established.
Police indicated that the vehicle is believed to have skidded, but investigators have not publicly confirmed what caused the driver to lose control.
There has also been no official determination of whether road conditions, vehicle problems, driver-related factors or other circumstances contributed to the accident.
The driver was conscious when taken to Alexandra Hospital, although authorities have not released further details about his injuries or medical condition.
Traffic Congestion Stretches From Stevens Road Towards Toa Payoh
Beyond the accident itself, the overturned vehicle caused considerable disruption for motorists travelling towards Tuas.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) began issuing traffic alerts shortly after the accident was reported.
At approximately 2.12pm on November 5, LTA announced congestion on the PIE towards Tuas after Stevens Road, initially extending towards Thomson Road.
By 2.35pm, the authority reported that heavy traffic had extended as far as Toa Payoh.
Another congestion alert was issued at approximately 3.30pm.
Motorists were advised to avoid the affected lanes, particularly Lane 1, as emergency responders attended to the overturned vehicle and traffic management measures remained in place.
The incident demonstrated how a single accident on a major expressway can affect traffic well beyond the immediate crash location.
The PIE is one of Singapore’s major transport corridors, connecting the western and eastern parts of the island and serving motorists travelling through several heavily populated residential and commercial areas.
When an accident blocks or restricts multiple lanes, vehicles can quickly accumulate behind the affected section, creating delays for commuters and other road users.
8world Also Reports Rescue Operation After Driver Remains on Overturned Vehicle
Singapore’s Chinese-language broadcaster 8world also reported on the incident on November 5.
Its coverage described how the car appeared to skid and overturn on the PIE towards Tuas, with the 64-year-old driver remaining on the overturned vehicle while waiting for assistance.
The report also cited an eyewitness who said the driver had been sitting on the vehicle for at least 20 minutes.
The footage showed emergency personnel attending to the scene, with a ladder positioned beside the car.
Like AsiaOne, 8world reported that the driver was conscious when taken to hospital and that police investigations were continuing.
The additional coverage provides further context about the rescue operation, although the exact cause of the accident remains unconfirmed.
Singapore’s Road Accident Numbers Raise Wider Safety Concerns
The PIE accident comes amid wider concerns about road safety in Singapore.
According to the Singapore Police Force’s mid-year traffic statistics, accidents resulting in injuries or deaths increased during the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
Channel NewsAsia reported on August 28 that Singapore recorded 3,929 traffic accidents resulting in injuries or deaths during the first six months of 2026, compared with 3,826 during the corresponding period in 2025.
That represented an increase of 2.7 per cent.
The number of road casualties also increased from 4,973 to 5,151, representing a rise of 3.6 per cent.
However, the statistics also showed an encouraging development: fatal accidents declined from 78 to 60, while road deaths fell from 79 to 61.
The figures suggest that although fatal outcomes decreased during the period, the overall number of accidents and people injured remained a significant concern.
Traffic Police said road safety requires cooperation from all road users, alongside continued enforcement, education and public awareness.
Why Expressway Accidents Can Create Widespread Disruption
Singapore’s expressways are designed to move large volumes of traffic efficiently, but accidents can quickly affect that flow.
When a vehicle overturns, emergency responders may need to secure the vehicle, assess the occupants, manage the surrounding area and coordinate its eventual removal.
Depending on the circumstances, these operations can require lanes to be restricted temporarily.
For commuters, the consequences may include longer journey times, unexpected delays and traffic queues extending beyond the original accident location.
The November 5 PIE incident illustrates this problem, with LTA’s updates showing congestion expanding from Thomson Road towards Toa Payoh.
It also highlights why drivers should pay attention to official traffic advisories rather than rely exclusively on social-media videos, which may not provide updated information about road conditions.
Police Investigation Into the PIE Accident Continues
For now, authorities have not announced the precise circumstances that caused the vehicle to skid and overturn.
The 64-year-old driver was conscious when transported to Alexandra Hospital and is assisting with police investigations.
No information has been released confirming whether another vehicle was involved, whether a mechanical problem contributed to the crash or whether any traffic offence occurred.
Those questions will depend on the findings of the investigation.
The incident also serves as a reminder that expressway accidents can create risks for both the people directly involved and other motorists travelling through the affected area.
As Singapore continues to monitor its road-safety performance, the latest PIE accident raises another important question about how quickly an unexpected vehicle incident can disrupt an entire expressway.
What caused the 64-year-old motorist’s car to skid and overturn near Stevens Road — and what will investigators uncover as they examine the circumstances surrounding the crash?
