Jail and five-year driving ban for Singapore fire engine driver who dozed off after crash that injured three passengers

A Singapore Civil Defence Force officer was trapped in the front cabin after the fire engine crashed on Sungei Kadut Street 1 on January 23, 2025, and had to be freed with hydraulic rescue equipment. — Picture from Facebook/Singapore roads accident.com

First Published: Saturday, 24 Oct 2026 11:26 AM MYT

SINGAPORE, Oct 24 — A Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officer who caused a traffic accident after falling asleep behind the wheel of a fire engine was sentenced to 16 weeks’ jail on Thursday (Oct 22).

Muhammad Imran Norzehan, 28, was also disqualified from driving for five years after pleading guilty to a charge of dangerous driving causing grievous hurt.

The accident occurred on Sungei Kadut Street 1 at about 1.45pm on Jan 23, 2025.

According to court documents, Imran had dozed off while driving an SCDF Pump Ladder. It veered right into the opposite direction and collided into a parked truck, which surged backwards and hit a prime mover parked behind.

Three passengers in the SCDF vehicle, aged 21 to 22, were seriously hurt.

The crew had been returning to their fire post after an incident. One of the officers seated in the front cabin was trapped and needed to be freed using hydraulic rescue equipment.

The three passengers were national servicemen, reported Shin Min Daily News.

Prior to the accident, Imran had also washed his face as he felt tired.

In court, the defence reportedly said in a mitigation plea that the three injured men had expressed forgiveness and did not want the accident to affect his career.

The crew, as well as Imran’s family and colleagues, attended the hearing, Shin Min reported. — AsiaOne