Little Kiki died. She could have done with some help.

A little life was lost on October 17. I send my condolences to the little girl's family. She was my colleague's elder sister's youngest daughter Kiki. It was one week before her first birthday.

It was around lunch time that day when it happened. She was sick and needed urgent medical attention. Her mother rushed to the nearest clinic in Woodland Ring vicinity but it was closed for lunch.

Kiki was almost breathless at that time. Her mother quickly hailed a taxi to rush her to the hospital. Soon came a Comfort taxi but the cabby declined to pick them up even when he was told about Kiki's critical condition. The taxi driver said he served only the Woodland area.
Next came another Comfort taxi, whose driver obliged when told of the little girl's condition.
Kiki's mother asked the driver if he could speed up a little. Yes if the traffic condition allowed, he said. On the way to the hospital, the taxi driver saw a police car.

He sounded his horn and asked if the police could help by leading the way to rush the girl to the hospital. The police did not respond.

They reached KK Hospital. Kiki was pronounced dead soon after.

I've written this letter to ask why the first Comfort taxi driver refused to help even though he was told that Kiki was in a critical condition. Next is the police officer. Why can't he help? Isn't it his job to help people in an emergency? That's saving a life too. I believe he could have radioed back to his headquarters to report his status.

Lastly, I'd like to comment on the taxi driver who helped to drive Kiki and her mother to the hospital. You really helped a lot.

Ong Kian Seng

Letter to the 'Online Forum' in Straits Times Online, 31st Oct 2005.

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/forum/ Forum letters are free for all to view at this link.