A 66-year-old Singapore taxi driver died in a freak accident after getting out of his vehicle to help two passengers with their luggage, only for the taxi to move forward and pin him between its door and door frame.
The fatal incident happened at about 12:49am on February 24, 2025, outside The Noble Hotel along Jalan Besar Road. A coroner’s inquiry into the death began on September 24, 2026, with the driver’s wife, son and daughter attending the hearing.
According to evidence presented at the inquiry, the driver had picked up a couple from Changi Airport and brought them to their destination near the hotel. Their luggage was stored in the taxi’s boot and rear seat.
After the passengers got out, the driver opened his door and stepped out, apparently intending to help them unload their belongings.
A hotel employee who witnessed the incident said the driver had placed his right foot on the road when the taxi suddenly began moving forward. The open driver’s door then struck the left rear side of a lorry parked along the roadside.
The impact pushed the taxi door inward, trapping the driver’s head and upper body between the door and the vehicle frame.
One of the passengers immediately rushed back to help. He reached inside the taxi and shifted the gear from drive to park, bringing the vehicle to a stop. Paramedics later found the driver still trapped in the damaged vehicle.
An autopsy determined that the primary causes of death were traumatic asphyxia and severe facial injuries.
The inquiry also examined whether a mechanical problem could have contributed to the crash.
A Ministry of Manpower investigating officer told the court that the taxi’s braking and steering systems were inspected and no issues were found. The vehicle had an electronic parking brake, which could only be activated after the taxi had come to a complete stop, while the severe damage prevented a full operational test.
Investigators believe the driver may have forgotten to shift the vehicle into park while hurrying to assist the passengers with their luggage.
The officer said the driver had 12 years of experience as a taxi driver and had held a driving licence for 42 years. He had also reportedly been working for only about an hour before the incident, meaning investigators did not believe fatigue or overwork was a contributing factor.
The case has highlighted how quickly a routine act of helping passengers can turn into a fatal accident, particularly when a vehicle is not fully secured before the driver exits.
The coroner has not yet delivered a final finding on the death. The inquiry is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident based on evidence from traffic police, the Ministry of Manpower and witnesses.
The bigger question now is whether the coroner’s findings will reveal any additional safety lessons for taxi drivers and passengers when vehicles are stopped for luggage unloading on busy roads.
