On April 1st, a 36-year-old accountant, Mr. Xu, suffered injuries to his waist, knees, and ankles after falling into a 1.8-meter-deep drain outside Northshore Plaza in Punggol. He was with his children at the playground when he walked across some concrete drain covers to dispose of rubbish. One of the drain covers suddenly broke, causing Mr. Xu to fall into the drain. He compared the shocking experience to a free-fall ride at amusement parks.
Thanks to his quick reflexes, Mr. Xu managed to break his fall and prevent more severe injuries. Two men nearby came to his aid, helping him out of the drain and offering to call an ambulance. Mr. Xu declined the offer, not wanting to frighten his children. He later informed the shopping mall’s management of the incident and warned others to avoid the area, which has since been cordoned off with a warning sign placed above the hole.
Mr. Xu expressed his concern that the consequences would have been much worse had an elderly person or a child fallen into the drain. The incident occurred near a playground bustling with playing children and skateboarders. He sustained an injury to his waist and scratches on his knees and ankles.
With regards to seeking compensation, it is essential to determine who is responsible for the maintenance and safety of the drain covers. If it can be proven that the shopping mall or another party was negligent in ensuring the drain covers’ safety, Mr. Xu might be entitled to seek compensation for his injuries.