NUS law prof dies after lorry goes over road divider and crashes into his car at Upper Thomson Road

A National University of Singapore (NUS) senior law professor died after a lorry ran over a road divider and crashed into his car at Upper Thomson Road on Friday morning (July 7).

A spokesman for the NUS law faculty told The Straits Times on Sunday morning that Emeritus Professor Tan Yock Lin had been a member of the faculty since 1982.

The horrific crash was caught on a dash cam video circulating online.

Other videos circulating on social media show at least three Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) vehicles at the scene, blocking off four lanes on the five-lane road.

SCDF officers could be seen at the accident scene with equipment that looks like cutting tools.

The dark grey van had its bonnet smashed in.

In response to a Stomp query, SCDF said it was alerted to the accident at about 10.10am.

"Upon SCDF's arrival, a man was found trapped in the driver's seat of a car. An SCDF paramedic at the scene rendered medical assistance to stabilise the man's injuries while rescuers were freeing the man's legs that were trapped under the dashboard," said SCDF.

"SCDF rescued the man by cutting and removing the roof of the car using hydraulic rescue equipment. An emergency medical team from Tan Tock Seng Hospital was also activated to render medical assistance at the scene. 

"The person was conveyed by SCDF ambulance to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

"Another two persons were assessed by SCDF for minor injuries but the persons refused conveyance to the hospital."

When contacted by Stomp, the police said they were alerted to an accident involving a car, a bus, a lorry, and a van along Upper Thomson Road towards Lornie Road at 10.05am.

"A 70-year-old male car driver was conveyed conscious to the hospital, where he subsequently passed away, said police.

"A 26-year-old male lorry driver was arrested for careless driving causing death. Police investigations are ongoing."

Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and a former lawyer, paid tribute to the professor on Facebook.

She wrote: "Prof Tan was my tutor in law school. He joined the faculty while I was mid-way through law school and was one of the most popular teachers. I remember his tutorials for their clarity but most of all I remember him for his kindness and unfailing patience as he taught us how to come to grips with legal concepts and principles.

"He was also the coach for the law faculty debate team (of which I was a member) for the medico-legal debate series against the medical faculty. (Vivian Balakrishnan was on the medical team.)"