On 29 May 2025, Gavin Neo, a 49-year-old PHV driver, collapsed at home after another exhausting shift behind the wheel. Hours later, he passed away from a massive stroke—leaving behind two teenage children, aged 17 and 13.
Gavin wasn’t just a driver. He was a father on a mission. Since separating from his wife years ago, he took on the full burden of raising their two kids. He drove 15 to 16 hours every day, barely pausing to rest, eat, or recover. His usual dinner? A simple S$3.80 chicken rice and a can of Red Bull. He didn’t drink. He didn’t smoke. Every cent he earned was set aside for his children’s education and future.
Friends recalled how Gavin often refused help, replying humbly,
“No need for anything fancy. I just want to see them grow up well.”
A top-rated Diamond Grab driver, Gavin never sought recognition. But his quiet sacrifice was noticed—by colleagues, customers, and, tragically, by the cost it eventually demanded of his health.
His sudden death wasn’t just a personal tragedy. It was a wake-up call for an industry, and a moment of national reflection during this SG60 milestone year. Gavin worked tirelessly for his children. In his passing, the country saw the human cost behind its everyday conveniences—and the unbreakable love of a father who gave all he had.
An Outpouring of Compassion
Gavin’s death wasn’t just mourned—it sparked movement.
Within hours, fellow drivers launched crowdfunding drives via PayNow, visited his wake, and shared his story across social media. Comments and tributes poured in:
“He was one of us. This could’ve been any of us.”
Some had never met Gavin—but felt a deep connection to his struggles, his fatherhood, and his devotion. Many drivers contributed part of their day’s earnings to support his children. In action, the community became family.
A Wake-Up Call for the Gig Economy
Gavin’s passing also ignited serious concerns. Many drivers reflected on how performance bonuses and incentive structures push them to overwork—with some clocking 18-hour days, just to break even.
Unions and driver associations like the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) and National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU) called for reform. Their demands:
As one union leader put it:
“No Singaporean should lose their life just to earn a living.”
SG60 Reflection: The Nation as a Family
In Singapore’s 60th year, we’ve applauded infrastructure, innovation, and economic achievement. But the story of Gavin Neo and the response of his fellow drivers reminds us of something even more vital:
Progress is measured not just in GDP—but in how we care for each other.
When Gavin fell, his community rose. That’s the spirit SG60 must carry into the next 60 years—a commitment to kindness, fairness, and dignity for all, especially the unseen who keep the country moving.
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