Try GOLD - Free

Best Reward for Tanjong Katong Sinkhole Rescuers

The Straits Times

|

August 04, 2025

Those involved, and men in River Valley fire rescue, invited to Istana open house

- Syarafana Shafeeq

Best Reward for Tanjong Katong Sinkhole Rescuers

The workers who saved a woman from a sinkhole in Tanjong Katong Road South said they were glad to have helped a family get their loved one home safely.

Speaking to the media at the Istana on Aug 3, construction site foreman Pitchai Udaiyappan Subbiah said that the successful rescue of a life was the most rewarding thing from the incident.

"Because of us, a family is safe and happy, (which) makes us very glad," Mr Subbiah, 46, said in Tamil. "The recognition we have received is more than enough."

Mr Subbiah and six other men had pulled out the woman, the driver of a car that had fallen into the sinkhole, using a nylon rope.

The car the woman was driving had tumbled in at about 5pm on July 26, when a sinkhole formed at the junction of Tanjong Katong Road South and Mountbatten Road, near the One Amber condominium.

The seven workers and their project manager, all of whom work for Ohin Construction, were invited by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam to the Istana's National Day open house on Aug 3.

MORE STORIES FROM The Straits Times

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Students lead effort to save birds from crashing into iconic NTU building

Birds would fly straight into the glass facade thinking the windows are part of landscape

time to read

4 mins

November 03, 2025

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

'What we promise, we deliver': Sunway founder on building a legacy of trust

Tycoon seeks to make conglomerate a major gateway from S'pore to Malaysia

time to read

4 mins

November 03, 2025

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Why renewables are difficult to talk about at UN climate summits

When the 2035 climate targets of countries are scrutinised at the upcoming United Nations climate change conference COP30 in Brazil, the spotlight will be on whether the nations have done enough to meet a collective goal to ramp up clean energy adoption.

time to read

4 mins

November 03, 2025

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Benz Hui's family to donate all condolence money to charity

All the condolence money for veteran Hong Kong actor Benz Hui will be donated to the Children’s Cancer Foundation, his family said in an obituary released on Oct 31.

time to read

1 mins

November 03, 2025

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Dear Evan Hansen still moves with its message of feeling included

The title's second outing in Singapore features a larger cast and set, and has maintained the relatability and heart of the story

time to read

2 mins

November 03, 2025

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

From Vanuatu to Yishun: The plant giving S’pore fall colours all year

As the weather cools in the Northern Hemisphere, fall foliage is sure to draw the eye. But even in tropical Singapore, the colours of autumn can be enjoyed year round - in Gardens by the Bay and along the country’s streetscapes, from Yishun to Bukit Panjang.

time to read

5 mins

November 03, 2025

The Straits Times

Nearly half of Cat A COEs go to EVs in first 9 months of 2025

EVs make up 43% of new car registrations, up from 33.8% in 2024 and 18.2% in 2023

time to read

2 mins

November 03, 2025

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Youth who faced family tragedy among 12 inaugural President's Challenge fellows

Growing up in a troubled family, Ms Shirlene Ng was 13 when she witnessed her mother take her own life. Her mental health took a hit.

time to read

3 mins

November 03, 2025

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

An uneven muddle of themes and genres

A deeper dive into the intergenerational female trauma of Congratulations, Get Rich! would make for a — pun intended — richer story

time to read

2 mins

November 03, 2025

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Backyard cafes in JB village give owners hope of lease extension

Locals bank on increased economic activity boosting their case, preserving area’s heritage

time to read

5 mins

November 03, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size