A malfunctioning lift at Block 542 Jurong West Avenue 1 injured a woman while almost killing her relative.
The incident took place on Saturday night (1 July).
Zulkiffle Saad was in the lift at the time with 4 of his family members.
They were visiting his nephew’s house for Hari Raya.
The lift had stopped on the 4th floor and he had already stuck a leg out of the lift to exit when his family members heard the sound of a cable snapping and pulled him back into the lift.
That move possibly saved him from losing a leg, or having his body crushed when the lift plunged to the ground seconds later.
Zulkiffle said that the next thing he knew, the lift had hit the ground and his sister was crying and screaming on the floor of the lift saying that her leg was broken.
Unfortunately, his sister wasn’t so fortunate.
She fractured her leg when the lift plunged.
Seeing his sister in pain, Zulkiffle forced the lift door open from the inside, and the family was able to evacuate the lift shortly before the SCDF arrived.
Describing the incident in a Facebook post, Zulkiffle’s daughter said that the issue of the faulty lift had been brought up to the Town Council and MP before but there was “no action taken” even after a year.
Said Raudhah Putri:
“Yesterday there was an accident happened in the lift at Block 542 Jurong West Ave 1, Lift D. Apparently, the lift dropped from level 4 straight down to the ground floor, the lift was stuck halfway below the ground.
Dad was on his way out when my uncle heard a snap and he immediately pulled him back in. It was a close one though. If it were to be a few seconds later, his leg would have been stuck outside while the lift made its way down.
My aunt was affected the most. She injured her leg when the lift made its impact to the ground. Dad quickly tried to force open the door when he injured his hand afterwards and brought everyone out. They didn’t know what would have happened if they were to stay longer in the lift. Police and ambulance were called and she was rushed to the hospital.
So, before this, there was an accident happened but it was a group of boys and no one was injured. This matter was brought up to the Town Council and the MP while they made their rounds in the neighbourhood. The MP was informed about this matter upfront by the residents and even after a year, no action taken. Even if the resident knew about the faulty lift, the guests didn’t know anything and this is the result of such ignorance.
Edit: Apparently, the lift wanted to move up even after it dropped. That is the reason why Dad wanted to evacuate as fast as possible. And the lift has no sensor. There is no way for people to know if the lift is able to hold the weight.
And please stop asking who they voted for MP. They were there for visiting. Stop being an idiot.”
The Building and Construction Authority has since suspended the use of the lift.
Jurong-Clementi Town Council is required to appoint an independent Professional Engineer to investigate into the cause of the incident and submit a report with the recommended rectification works to 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 BCA.
