HDB lift in Jurong West fell 4 storeys; woman injured

A woman was injured on Saturday night when the HDB lift she was in fell four storeys to the ground floor, Todayonline reported on July 3, 2017.

 The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) has suspended the lift at block 542 Jurong West Avenue 1 for further investigation. 

A woman in her 30s was sent to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital. She is currently being treated for a torn ligament, said her brother Zulkiflie Saad, who spoke to ChannelNewsAsia. There were four other people in the lift when it fell, according to the BCA.  

The family was visiting a relative as part of Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, and included a 10-year-old girl. They escaped with minor injuries. 

A Facebook post by the injured woman's niece Raudhah Putri revealed that loud snap was heard as her dad was walking out the lift. Her uncle quickly pulled him back, just before the lift "made its way down." 

Raudhah also added that the Town Council and Member of Parliament of the area had been informed by residents upfront about previous accidents that happened with the faulty lift. However, "even after a year, no action was taken."

The BCA said in a media statement that the Jurong-Clementi Town Council is required to appoint an independent professional engineer to investigate the cause of the incident. A report with the recommended rectification works has to be submitted to the BCA.

“The lift is only allowed to resume its operation after the investigations are completed and the necessary rectification works by the town council’s lift contractor are certified by the professional engineer, which must be done to the satisfaction of the (authorities),” BCA added.