Singaporean woman dies in Taiwan hospital two days after being run over by bus

SINGAPORE – A Singaporean woman has died in a hospital in Taiwan, two days after she was struck and run over by a bus during a family vacation there.

The China Medical University Hospital, where she was being treated, said its medical team made every effort to save the 67-year-old and provided intensive care, reported Taiwanese media outlet Focus Taiwan on Sept 18.

The woman died from the severity of her injuries, Focus Taiwan reported, citing a written statement from the hospital, which expressed its regret over her death.

She had been crossing a road in the central city of Taichung at about 11am on Sept 16 when a bus making a right turn knocked her down and ran over her, trapping her under the vehicle.

Emergency responders freed her using a lifting air bag and spinal board, according to multiple local media outlets, including Central News Agency and LTN.

The woman suffered a cardiac arrest, and open fractures to her upper right arm and lower left leg, as well as a fracture to her hip, local media reported.

According to Central News Agency, she was taken to hospital, where her heartbeat was restored after resuscitation.

When contacted by The Straits Times, the Fire Bureau of Taichung Fire City Government confirmed on Sept 16 that media reports on the rescue and the woman’s condition were correct.

LTN reported that the woman was in Taiwan with her family of nine, including her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter.

Central News Agency and local media SETN, citing the police, reported that the 45-year-old bus driver was not driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The Taiwanese police also told the media outlets that they have contacted Singapore’s representative office in Taipei, and that the cause of the accident will be determined by a forensic unit.

The bus, with a decal “kuo kuang” on the front of the vehicle, is operated by major long-distance bus operator Kuo-Kuang Motor Transportation.

The company’s spokesperson said in a media reply on Sept 17 that the woman was still in hospital, adding that its general manager had visited the family at the hospital, while staff were also with the family there.

The Taiwanese police said on Sept 18 that they will ask prosecutors to conduct an autopsy and investigate the death as a potential case of negligent homicide, reported Focus Taiwan.

The Straits Times has contacted the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs for more information.

Daniel Lai is a journalist at the ST Now team, covering breaking news and international affairs.