Girl who lost legs in MRT accident returns to
Thailand
SINGAPORE: The 14-year-old Thai girl who lost both
legs in an MRT accident, has left Singapore for home with her
father.
Nitcharee Peneakchanasak, affectionately known as
Nong Than, appeared chirpy as she emerged from an ambulance Monday
morning. Having spent more than two months recuperating, the
14-year-old, who turns 15 on Thursday, is staying
positive.
She said: "When I get home, I'm going to do whatever
needs to be done. That includes organising my birthday!"
She also intends to visit centres for the disabled and use her
situation to encourage others.
Strangers and volunteers turned up at the airport to bid farewell
to Nitcharee - with some offering money.
However, the stream of donations might not be enough to cover
Nitcharee's hospital bills for the past two months - estimated to
be about S$46,000.
"Currently the family members cannot afford (the bills). The father
is an insurance broker and the legs that are going to be fitted are
special legs, and it's going to be very expensive," said Mr
Christopher Bek, president-elect of the Rotary E-Club of
Singapore.
The Rotary E-Club of Singapore has been assisting the family since
the accident, having paid for Nitcharee's motorised wheelchair.
They are currently trying to collect donations for the
family.
"Our Rotarians have a legal department also, so they also come to
give some advice. They've got some lawyers from outside who
specialise in injury claims to help out. But the claim is still
ongoing and we hope everything will be fine," said Mr Bek.
Nitcharee's father, Kittanesh Peneakchanasak said he has already
engaged a lawyer, and is hoping for a fair compensation. He said:
"I believe my daughter Nong Than did not fall because she fainted,
she could have been pushed among the crowd."
SMRT has declined to comment on the sum of money given, citing
confidentiality as investigations are still going on. But it has
been reported that the transport operator has offered the family an
initial S$5,000.
Mr Peneakchanasak said: "S$5,000? S$5,000 can't even buy you a
finger. The prosthetic legs cost around S$100,000 and must be
changed every three to five years. It's a huge sum of money...life
won't be normal for Nong Than anymore, but my daughter is strong
and doesn't give up. But I need justice to be done for Nong
Than."
It is believed the microchip-controlled prosthetic legs could cost
more than S$50,000 each.
The family will see a specialist in Thailand, to determine if the
legs can be made and fitted at home. Otherwise, Nitcharee would
have to return to Singapore in two months for another
check-up.
Nitcharee hopes to start walking again in three months and return
to Singapore to complete her studies.
- CNA/cc/ac
