A coroner’s inquiry has found that the death of 23-year-old Indian national Ponraman Eazhumalai was a tragic work-related accident, with no evidence of foul play.
The inquiry, led by Coroner Brenda Chua, concluded on Friday, May 16, that the accident happened because Eazhumalai did not follow safety instructions given by his colleague during a routine work procedure, reports said.
The coroner noted that although Eazhumalai was told not to remove metal plates placed under the truck’s hydraulic jacks, he went ahead and collected one. As a result, he was crushed between the truck and its machinery when the hydraulic outrigger was being retracted.
Coroner Chua also said that while another worker was responsible for ensuring the area was clear, he did not see Eazhumalai even though he was within his field of vision and wearing a reflective vest. There was no indication of foul intent, and the accident was found to be unintentional.
The fatal incident took place on the night of 2 December 2023 at a construction site for the upcoming Tengah integrated rail and bus depot along Jurong Road.
Eazhumalai, employed as an assistant pump operator with TMC Concrete Pumping Services, was working alongside a colleague who operated a concrete pump truck. The two had completed concrete casting work at around 10.50 pm and were preparing to retract the machinery.
As part of this process, the operator began retracting the hydraulic jack of the rear right outrigger. He instructed Eazhumalai not to remove the metal safety plates placed under the jacks until all the outriggers had been retracted.
ALSO READ: Indian worker dies after Singapore site accident; family in Tamil Nadu demands answers
However, Eazhumalai ignored the instruction and went to collect the metal plate at the back of the truck. At the same time, the operator was retracting the front right jack and closing the rear right outrigger, unaware that Eazhumalai was behind the truck.
While placing the plate back onto the vehicle, Eazhumalai was caught between the outrigger and the truck. He shouted, prompting his colleague to open the outrigger and release him. Eazhumalai then walked a short distance before collapsing.
Despite being conscious and responsive, he struggled to breathe. He was rushed to Farrer Park Hospital, where he was found to have suffered a severe chest crush injury with bleeding in both lungs. He passed away nearly 18 hours later.
The company’s operations manager confirmed during the inquiry that safety protocols required workers to collect plates only after all outriggers were fully retracted. The truck operator was also responsible for monitoring the area for safety during equipment operation.
