A 59-year-old taxi driver is assisting police with investigations following a six-vehicle collision on the Tampines Expressway (TPE) on February 23rd. The incident, which involved two lorries, two cars, and two taxis, occurred on the TPE towards the Seletar Expressway at approximately 1:20 PM.
Authorities were alerted to the accident, and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) assessed one individual for minor injuries. However, the person reportedly declined hospital treatment.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) promptly notified motorists about the accident via a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) at around 1:15 PM, advising drivers to avoid the affected lanes. The disruption caused traffic congestion on a busy stretch of the expressway.
A TikTok video posted by user chubbsantoshi on February 23rd captured the aftermath of the collision. The video shows a section of the expressway cordoned off with traffic cones, and emergency services personnel at the scene. A lorry is visible lying on its side, with a taxi and a car positioned directly behind it. Fragments from the vehicles are scattered near the collision site, and another lorry is parked nearby.
Traffic Police motorcycles, an ambulance, and an Expressway Monitoring and Advisory System (EMAS) recovery vehicle were all deployed to manage the situation and clear the wreckage. The incident highlights the potential for multi-vehicle accidents on expressways, even without resulting in serious injuries.
While the cause of the accident remains under investigation, the involvement of multiple vehicles suggests a complex chain of events. Police are currently questioning the 59-year-old taxi driver to gather more information about the circumstances leading up to the collision.
The incident occurred just months after a separate accident on the TPE in August 2023, involving five heavy vehicles. That incident, which took place after the Punggol Road exit, resulted in six injuries and saw two drivers assisting with investigations. While details of that earlier accident differ, it underscores the challenges of maintaining safety on this particular stretch of expressway.
The SCDF’s quick response and the LTA’s timely traffic advisory helped to mitigate the impact of the February 23rd accident. Authorities continue to urge drivers to exercise caution and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to be released as they become available.
