At around 12.20 pm on 5 September 2024, deliveryman Chua Lee Koon was making his rounds in Block 109 Yishun Ring Road when he saw an elderly man perched dangerously on the 10th-floor ledge, evidently about to jump. Without delay, Chua shouted from the ground: “Someone is about to jump off the block!” His urgent call alerted residents and passers-by, interrupting their day with a moment of crisis. He also immediately called the police, understanding that saving a life might depend on prompt action.
A Neighbour’s Graceful Response
Hearing Chua’s alarm, Saride Venkata Kasi Viswanadh, a 37-year-old systems analyst working from home in the same block, sprang into action. The elevator was out of service, but Saride didn’t hesitate—he rushed up ten flights of stairs to reach the level where the man perched. Upon spotting the elderly man trembling on the ledge, Saride calmly engaged him, gently coaxing him to move back inside. “I was scared I wouldn’t be strong enough to pull him,” he later admitted, yet he persevered. He kept speaking softly, building a fragile connection between the man and hope inside.
Teamwork Amid Tension
As Saride worked to calm the man, Chua remained below, continuing to shout reassurances and signal for emergency services. Their coordinated efforts formed an improvised rescue team, even before the police arrived. When officers finally reached the scene, Chua and Saride were instrumental in guiding them and coordinating the final move to bring the man to safety. As described in the official Singapore Police Force release, both men “assisted the Police in rescuing the elderly man from his dangerous position,” reflecting spontaneous teamwork under pressure.
Recognition for Public-Spirited Courage
On 18 September 2024, Woodlands Police Division recognised their brave intervention by awarding both men the Public Spiritedness Award, acknowledging the “selflessness and public-spiritedness” that saved a life. Assistant Commissioner Ang Eng Seng praised them as an “example of how members of the public can step forward to assist the police,” and expressed hope their actions would inspire others to stay alert and willing to help in emergencies.
A Caring Community in Action
As Singapore celebrates 60 years, moments like this remind us that community spirit is at the heart of nation-building. Chua, a deliveryman just doing his job, and Saride, a neighbour attending to his own day, came together to protect a vulnerable elder. Their courage crosses the boundaries of occupation and personal routine, showing that heroism often begins with empathy and the willingness to act.
This rescue story reflects a Singapore that looks out for each other, not through policy alone, but through everyday instinct. It asks us: when safety hangs in the balance, will we reach out, speak up, and step forward too? On SG60, we celebrate these quiet acts of humanity that quietly shape a safer, closer society.
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