Warning: Some readers may find the photos and descriptions in this article graphic and triggering. Discretion is advised.
A four-year-old girl has died following an accident at River Valley Road.
She was walking home with her sister and domestic helper when the tragedy occurred.
Source: Shin Min Daily News
A female driver has been arrested in connection with the case.
The incident took place on 23 Jan, the girl’s father told The Straits Times (ST).
The girl, Zara Mei Orlic, was walking home with her two-year-old sister and domestic helper in the River Valley area at the time.
The helper was holding the younger girl’s hand and their school bags. She told Zara that it was safe to cross the road.
However, a car that came around the corner hit the girl.
The helper told ST that she couldn’t reach the girl in time, but screamed for the driver to stop.
The car stopped after some time, she added.
Zara’s father Nick Orlic said he was at home when the helper called him.
As they were nearby, he rushed down to the accident scene, added the 39-year-old senior lecturer from Nanyang Business School.
His heart sank when he saw his daughter’s skull was shattered. She was also bleeding and her eyes were closed.
Paramedics from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) who arrived soon after found that her pulse was faint.
After Zara was rushed to hospital, doctors performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on her for about 30 minutes till her mother arrived.
Her mother, 38-year-old British lawyer Michelle Orlic, broke down when she saw Zara as her injuries were serious.
The couple eventually decided to tell doctors to discontinue CPR and “let her go”.
The police confirmed to ST that an accident had occurred on Institution Hill, a road off River Valley Road, at about 4.55pm on 23 Jan.
Source: Google Maps
A four-year-old girl was taken unconscious to hospital, the police said. She subsequently died from her injuries.
A 40-year-old woman has been arrested. She is suspected of careless driving causing death.
Zara just celebrated her birthday this month, Dr Orlic said.
The family also went on a Christmas trip to Croatia in December 2023, where the girl took skiing lessons.
The couple, who are permanent residents in Singapore, also have an older daughter who is six years old.
Dr Orlic added that Zara loved her sisters and was a joyful kid who liked to dance.
She was happily singing to herself just before the accident, claimed the family’s helper.
Dr Orlic noted that the road where the accident occurred didn’t usually have heavy traffic.
However, speeding cars and illegal parking are issues there, he said.
A photo from Shin Min showed that flowers have been placed under a tree at the accident site in memory of Zara.
Also read: 4-Year-Old M’sian Boy Riding Pillion Dies After S’porean Driver Crashes Into Motorcycle
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Featured image adapted from Shin Min Daily News and Google Maps.
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