Commuter’s Wheelchair Gets Stuck In Botanic Gardens MRT Platform Gap
While Singapore’s public transport system is considered one of the best in the world, it can still present some inconveniences for those in wheelchairs.
On Monday (2 Jan), 25-year-old Sakil Khan took to TikTok to share a video of a commuter whose wheelchair got stuck in the platform gap at Botanic Gardens MRT.
@sakil1511
Thankfully, countless passers-by quickly came forward to help free the wheelchair.
The video has since garnered over 144,400 views, with many netizens praising the commuters for coming to the wheelchair user’s aid.
Passers-by rush to help after wheelchair gets stuck in MRT platform gap
The TikTok video shows the front wheels of the commuter’s wheelchair seemingly stuck in the platform gap.
After noticing the predicament, other train passengers immediately rushed forward to help. While some tried to lift the wheelchair up, others helped to hold the train doors open.
Image courtesy of Sakil Khan
With the wheelchair tilted downwards, the commuter appeared to be frantically grabbing onto one of the other passengers for support.
As this was happening, an SMRT employee in uniform appeared in the train carriage, speaking into a walkie-talkie.
In the original video Sakil shared with MS News, the passers-by audibly discussed what to do as they worked together.
After a short while, they managed to lift the wheelchair up to safety, much to everyone’s relief.
Image courtesy of Sakil Khan
Took place at Botanic Gardens MRT station
Speaking to MS News, Sakil, a construction worker, said that the incident took place at the Botanic Gardens MRT platform on Tuesday (2 Jan) at 4.44pm.
He was passing by at that time when he saw the wheelchair’s front wheels get stuck in the platform gap.
Other commuters tried to get the wheel out but to no avail.
Later, when the MRT doors started to close, more passers-by came to help push the doors open.
The wheelchair user was eventually freed after about three minutes.
Sakil said he shared the video on TikTok simply because he wanted to show others that if they come across such an incident, they too should offer their help.
Netizens praise the helpful passers-by
At the time of writing, Sakil’s TikTok video has garnered over 144,400 views.
Many were full of praise for all the passers-by that helped out the wheelchair user.
Source: sakil1511 on TikTok
This netizen said that it was great to see so many people willing to help one another.
Source: Facebook
Some shared that the video of people coming together to help the commuter moved them.
In response to queries from MS News, Head of Circle Line Mr Ng Chan Cheok confirmed that SMRT staff as well as some commuters aided the wheelchair-bound passenger. Here’s his statement in full:
On 2 Jan at around 4.40pm, a commuter activated the Passenger Emergency Communication (PEC) button at Botanic Gardens MRT station on the Circle Line.
Our staff promptly responded to the call to help a wheelchair user whose front wheel was stuck in the gap between the train and the platform. Our staff, supported by other commuters, freed the wheel and assisted the wheelchair user to get on board the train safely. After the commuter shared that she was alright, train service resumed.
We would like to thank all the commuters who helped their fellow commuter. It is heartwarming to see such a shining example of caring for one another in our community.
We encourage those with special mobility needs to approach our staff for assistance with boarding and alighting from trains.
Kudos to everyone who stepped in to help. Hopefully, their actions will inspire others to help in times of need too.
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Featured image courtesy of Sakil Khan.
