A TAXI driver with a newly-arrived tourist in his back seat
collapsed at the wheel on Tuesday morning and crashed into a median
at Changi Airport.
Cabbie Kwan Lok Pang was rushed to hospital but was pronounced
dead on arrival.
Police said his passenger, a Chinese national who had just
jumped in at Terminal 1, was unscathed.
It is not known what caused the 54-year-old to collapse, and his
family members on Wednesday declined to say whether he had heart
problems.
Mr Kwan had been working for Premier Taxis for three years, said
the company's managing director, Lim Chong Boo.
Mr Lim said the cabbie 'looked healthy' and, like all taxi
drivers between 50 and 65, would have undergone a medical check-up
once every two years.
Collapses like Mr Kwan's are uncommon, according to taxi
companies. Premier said this its first, while SMRT Taxis said it
has never had such a case. ComfortDelgro, the country's biggest cab
company, declined to provide statistics.
Police said Mr Kwan was approaching Terminal 2 on Tuesday
morning when passed out and slumped over the wheel. His car veered
towards the right before smashing into the centre divider.
Mr Kwan suffered scrapes on his forehead and was unconscious
when paramedics arrived. It is unclear if he was killed by the
impact of the crash.
On Wednesday, family and friends gathered for his wake in Jalan
Teck Whye. His wife and adult children said they were too
distraught to be interviewed.
His younger sister, however, said Mr Kwan had always worked in
the transport industry. Prior driving a taxi, he owned a transport
company that went under.
Premier Taxi's Mr Lim said his death was unfortunate.
'We will do our utmost to help Mr Kwan's family,' he said.