Foreign worker’s heroic act saves toddler stuck between railings in Singapore

A foreign worker has been hailed a hero after he climbed to the second floor of a Housing Board block at Jurong East Street 32 to save a toddler whose head was stuck between the railings. — PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM VIDEO/ALVIN LIM

SINGAPORE – A foreign worker has been hailed as a hero after he climbed to the second floor of a Housing Board block at Jurong East Street 32 to save a toddler whose head was stuck between the rails of an external clothes drying rack outside the service yard.

According to blogger Alvin Lim, a passer-by who first saw the toddler in that precarious position on Thursday afternoon shouted for help. Two men tried to heave themselves up on the ledge but failed.

A foreign worker who was working on road repairs nearby then came to the rescue.

In the videos provided by Mr. Lim’s friend who was at the scene, the worker was seen pulling himself up effortlessly onto the ledge and holding the crying toddler up, while trying to get her back onto the other side of the ledge.

“This man saved a baby’s life. I do not know who he is or what his name is, but I feel that he deserves a medal or at least some publicity for his heroic act,” said Mr Lim in his blog.

According to Mr Lim, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) arrived five minutes later and helped to free the child.

The flat was apparently empty at the time of the incident as there was no answer when someone knocked on the door.

SCDF is trying to locate and identify the foreign worker by today. They will be giving him an award, said an SCDF spokesman.