26-8-2024 (SINGAPORE) A young girl’s routine journey home from kindergarten took a traumatic turn on Wednesday afternoon in Toa Payoh Central, Singapore. The child, believed to be around 4 or 5 years old, found her left foot entrapped in the rear wheel of a bicycle, prompting a swift response from emergency services.
The alarming event unfolded at approximately 3 pm near Block 79A, Toa Payoh Central, a domestic helper tasked with picking up the child from her kindergarten was fetching the young girl home by bicycle. For reasons yet to be fully determined, the child’s foot became lodged between the bicycle’s frame and rear wheel, causing immediate distress.
The girl’s cries of pain quickly drew the attention of passersby and alerted local authorities. One eyewitness, identified on social media platform Xiaohongshu as “Lion City Senior Sister Xiaoyu”, recounted the harrowing scene. “The child’s screams were truly heart-wrenching,” the netizen reported, emphasising the palpable anguish of the situation.
Police officers and paramedics swiftly arrived at the location, followed by personnel from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). The SCDF later confirmed that they received an emergency call at 2:50 pm and successfully extricated the child’s foot from the bicycle wheel. Following the rescue operation, the young girl was promptly transported to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital for medical assessment and treatment.
This incident has ignited a crucial dialogue about child safety during transportation, particularly when using bicycles. Many concerned citizens have taken to social media platforms to stress the importance of proper safety measures when cycling with children.
One netizen urged, “To all parents, if you are riding a bicycle to pick up your children, you must prioritise safety and ensure your child’s feet are correctly positioned. If you employ a domestic helper, it’s essential to thoroughly explain all safety protocols!”
