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Gondola topples sideways in Boon Lay Drive: two workers narrowly escape high-rise cleaning accident

Two workers narrowly avoided a dangerous incident while cleaning a 15-story HDB block in Boon Lay Drive when the gondola they were in tilted due to a wall collapse.

The workers were rescued by entering windows on the 14th and 15th floors with the help of residents.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force and police were on the scene, and both workers sustained minor injuries.

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SINGAPORE — On Thursday morning, two workers narrowly escaped a potentially fatal incident while cleaning the exterior walls of a 15-storey HDB block in Boon Lay Drive.

The gondola they were in was tipped sideways after the wall it was attached to collapsed suddenly.

One of the videos that was sent to TOC, showed one of the workers on the ledge at the 15th storey beside the lopsided gondola.

The two workers were cleaning the exterior walls of the HDB block when the top wall suddenly collapsed, causing the gondola to tilt and leaving the workers stranded in mid-air.

Fortunately, residents of two units on the 14th and 15th floors allowed the workers to climb into their windows for safety.

According to The Straits Times, The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) received a call for assistance at Blk 199 Boon Lay Drive at 8.10am.

SCDF and police arrived on the scene shortly after to rescue the workers.

Both workers sustained minor injuries and were sent to the hospital for treatment.

A West Coast Town Council (WCTC) spokesperson informed the Straits Times that the gondola’s support system, installed by the contractor on the roof, had failed, resulting in the gondola tilting.

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) inspected the building and confirmed its structural safety, and the area has been cordoned off.

The two workers were discharged and provided medical leave.

The WCTC spokesperson mentioned that both the town council and the contractor are ensuring the workers’ well-being.

The workers were contracted for repair and redecoration work on the affected block and nearby blocks.

A resident, known only as Madam Kong, 70, observed that construction work began early Thursday morning.

Residents were told the block would be selected for en bloc

The exterior of the HDB flat can be seen covered with algae.

A resident whom TOC spoke with, shared that many neighbours complained the interior of their houses also have a lot of cracks and leaky.

She also added that the residents were earlier told that the block would be selected for en bloc after they had complained about the conditions of their flat when Lawrence Wong was the MP for the ward.
However, there has been no further update on this matter so far.

 

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