3 sent to hospital after overhead walkway ceiling collapses at Liat Towers

Key Concepts:

• Ceiling collapse: The primary incident involving the overhead walkway ceiling at Leette Towers on Orchard Road.
• Injuries: Three individuals were sent to the hospital due to the collapse.
• Structural Integrity: The building's main structure was found to be unaffected by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).
• Improper Installation: Preliminary findings suggest the ceiling collapse was due to incorrect installation of the suspended ceiling.

Incident Details and Eyewitness Accounts:

• Location and Time: The incident occurred outside an Asai bowl shop at Leette Towers on Orchard Road at approximately 3:40 p.m.
• Eyewitness Testimony: Customers from a nearby Starbucks reported hearing a loud bang and seeing the ceiling collapse.
• Immediate Response: Around 10 people, mainly students and young individuals, helped to hold up the fallen ceiling.
• Injuries Described: One girl was injured by the falling debris, and a pregnant woman fell while trying to avoid the collapsing ceiling. Her husband assisted her.
• Eyewitness Reaction: An eyewitness expressed shock and fear after the initial instinct to help subsided.

Emergency Response and Investigation:

• Police Presence: Upon CNA's arrival at around 6:00 p.m., approximately five police officers were present, and the area was cordoned off.
• SCDF Response: The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) reported that two individuals were taken to Singapore General Hospital (SGH), and one was taken to KK Women's and Children's Hospital.
• BCA Inspection: The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) conducted an inspection and determined that the structural integrity of the building remained intact.
• Preliminary Findings: The BCA's initial findings indicated that the collapse was likely caused by improper installation of the suspended ceiling.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The ceiling collapse at Leette Towers on Orchard Road resulted in injuries to three people and prompted a swift response from emergency services and building authorities. While the building's structural integrity was confirmed to be unaffected, preliminary investigations point to improper installation of the suspended ceiling as the cause of the incident. The incident highlights the importance of proper construction and installation practices to ensure public safety.