Singapore: Indian commended for saving man from under truck wheel

Singapore, Jul 31: A 33-year-old Indian software engineer was among 16 people who saved a South Korean man pinned under a back wheel of a truck in Singapore, with authorities awarding them for their good samaritan work.

Asif Iqbal helped rescue 35-year-old Kim Seong Mo who was run over by a truck on July 23. Asif who is from Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu, was out for lunch when he saw the accident near his work place at Hyflux Innovation Centre.

Asif crawled under the truck and joined a Filipino to help Kim out.

"I held onto his (Kim) shoulder while the other guy held onto his check to try to get him out," Asif was quoted as saying by Tabla!, a weekly on Indian community in Singapore.

Asif said he tried to keep Kim conscious and comfort him by saying "Don't worry, you're in safe hands."

Asif was among the group of 16 good samaritan who were awarded by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) for their public-spiritedness last week.

"We are all very amazed by the feat - that about 16 of you came together, without any formal coordination, lifted the trailer truck and pulled out a person in distress underneath," said Alan Chow, SCDF Division commander.

"I am thankful that I managed to play a part in saving the man. My wife was very proud of me," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean shared the 90-second video of about 30 bystanders lifting the truck to free Kim, and said it was "truly heartwarming to see the Singapore spirit."

Kim was on a business trip and is recovering at a local hospital here.

PTI