As technology advances, we have more and more applications that help us in our daily lives and Grab is definitely one of them. The app plays a vital role in our daily transportation and our meals, while also functioning as a cashless wallet!
This Grab Food rider, however, has made a difference in someone’s life.
At 10 am on the 10th August, there was an accident involving a lorry and a van at the junction of Jalan Boon Lay and Boon Lay Way.
The driver of the van, who is believed to be in his 70s, was trapped when the van flipped on its side after it collided with a vehicle from a cleaning company, reported Straits Times.
At that time, a Grab Food Rider, Mr Muhammad Riau Alfian, had just finished his delivery and was walking when suddenly he saw the toppled van. He threw down his things and ran straight towards the vehicle.
As he approached, the people there could be heard discussing that it might be better to push the truck upright again. Muhammad then voiced out his concern that it may not a good idea as the van could be a little unstable – which would make attempting to push it upright even more dangerous.
He was worried that the van may have leaked petrol and because there were quite a few people surrounding the van, all he could think of was to save the uncle quick so that everyone could evacuate the area. He was afraid that an explosion might happen.
He tried to open the door but it was firmly shut, so he decided to break the window. He used English and all the Mandarin that he knew from watching Chinese dramas to tell the driver what he would be doing in the rescue attempt. He then asked the driver to cover his face and to turn so that the driver’s back was facing the window. The driver gave him a piece of cloth to let him wrap his fist with.
The rider punched the window twice with all his might, but he couldn’t break the window, but fortunately, another man had rushed to a nearby construction site to borrow a shovel. The rider then used it to break the window and cleared out the remaining shards before pulling the driver out.
Once the van driver was safely removed from the vehicle, Muhammad went to the side of the road to direct traffic so that the fire truck would be able to reach the scene quickly.
As he had punched the window really hard, his hand became swollen. The driver was sent to the hospital later.
It turns out that Muhammad used to be an auxiliary policeman, and also received police training while in National Service! So that’s why he could calmly react to emergency situations like this! If it was me, I would have just lost my mind!
The lorry driver’s family sent him a gift basket as a token of appreciation, but he refused and said that he didn’t want to get the recognition as he felt that he was just helping someone in need. A video of him has circulated online, and he said that it made him feel shy because it exposed his face.
He said he did what he did for the sake of helping a person in need! He hopes that everyone can do the same as a part of a society, to help out people who are in need regardless of where or when they are, or who they are.
What a humble and inspiring man! Thank you for saving the uncle with your quick thinking!
Also read: S’porean Woman Delivers Baby In Grab Car, Driver Super Calm But Husband Panics