Talk about a slippery slope huh? *Badum tss*
A social media post advising people to avoid Funan Mall on North Bridge Road went viral late Tuesday, 14 May 2024.
“WARNING! Everyone, stay away from Funan right now. Over a dozen cars are sliding down the entrance, unable to stop because the surface is too slippery, causing them to hit the walls,” the post on the SG Kaypoh 人! Facebook page reads.
The accompanying photos show a series of cars with damage running across their front left side, particularly near where the headlight is located.
(The bumper, my friend who is more familiar with cars clarified for me.)
A photo featuring a white Honda shows a more specific location of the accident in Funan Mall, looking as though the car’s left cheek is smooshed up against the wall of the carpark.
Another Facebook post by ROADS.sg delved into the incident further by including a recount from a victim.
“I was going down the carpark slowly when my steering wheel could not turn and my car was skiing on the floor and went straight to the wall,” the post wrote.
The victim also reported hearing a rubbing sound from their car, prompting them to drive slowly to the drop-off point.
Upon arrival, they witnessed multiple cars colliding with the wall, leading to a gathering of concerned individuals awaiting management’s response.
(Looks like a pretty messed up car showroom from this perspective…)
Approximately 15 cars were reported to have collided with the wall before the individual departed the scene around 8:4PM, according to the Facebook post.
To further highlight the severity of the issue, a video uploaded by SG Road Vigilante (SGRV)’s Facebook page showed dashcam footage from a motorbike. The motorist had skidded across the slope before falling onto the ground.
When asked by the press, one driver had initially wondered if his car breaks were faulty moments before the accident, as he was suddenly unable to control his car.
Other affected drivers had experienced similar thoughts.
After requesting to speak to a mall representative, the victims had to wait for more than an hour before mall management had allegedly dispatched someone to advise those involved to report the incident to their respective insurance companies in order to claim compensation.
Accident Allegedly Caused by Slippery Carpark Floors
According to both Facebook posts, it seems obvious that the culprits behind this incident seem to be wet weather conditions combined with a presumably too-steep and too-slippery carpark ramp.
Facebook comments wonder if the carpark ramp’s surface had been tested for rainy conditions, as it was not just one, but many cars that suffered similar fates.
Several netizens speculate that it could be a matter of haphazardly applying the epoxy finish on the carpark floors during construction, which led to unsuitable driving conditions.
While many blamed the accident on the infrastructure of the carpark, others were quick to criticize the drivers instead, wondering if they had been carelessly driving or speeding down the ramp which made it difficult to stop on time.
A spokesperson for Funan stated in a Facebook post on Wednesday, 15 May 2024, that they were informed of an incident involving multiple cars at the mall’s parking lot on Tuesday evening.
Fortunately, there were no injuries reported.
As a precautionary measure, the affected areas and the car park entrance on North Bridge Road were promptly cordoned off and will remain closed until further notice.
“We are currently investigating the cause of the incident and offering necessary assistance to the affected drivers,” the spokesperson added. Shoppers are advised to use the car park entrance via Hill Street.
The spokesperson emphasized, “The safety and well-being of our shoppers are our top priorities,” and expressed apologies for any inconvenience caused.
The Facebook post also mentioned that the Funan management will also be providing assistance to the affected drivers.