50-year-old Arlyn Nucos had been able to send her family extra cash to her family in La Union, Philippines, as a Christmas gift before she was killed in the tragic Lucky Plaza car crash.
According to a report from Rappler Philippines, who had spoken to the victim’s brother from their native country, her family knew something was wrong when their usual weekly video call wasn’t answered.
Two of the six victims of the crash have been discharged from the hospital. They are Ms Laila Laudencia, 44, and Ms Demet Limbauan, 37.
Arlyn’s siser, Arcely Nucos, is still in the hospital as she is another domestic helper injured in the crash.
Another domestic helper who was spending that fateful December day with her friends in Lucky Plaza died, 41-year-old Abigail Leste.
What happened in the Singapore Lucky Plaza accident?
According to a report on The New Paper, seven domestic workers were having a picnic aorund the vicinity of Lucky Plaza on the ORchard Road shopping belt last December 29, 2019.
Suddenly, a black Honda Vezel crashed into their party, and then fell over the metal railing to land on a parking ramp below. The crash pinned one victim to the road below, while four others were taken with the car and thrown violently.
Read about the Maserati hit-and-run driver here and what his father said in his defense.
According to the same report, eyewitnesses said that the offending vehicle came from a drop-off point at Lucky Plaza Apartment and Nutmeg Road, then turned into a side street called Jalan Kayu Manis to make a U-turn.
The eyewitness said that the driver may have lost control of the car as he exited the side street.
Who is the Lucky Plaza Accident driver suspect?
Reports said that a 64-year-old Grab driver was apprehended for dangerous driving later that day and in this case the ride-hailing company reported that they had suspended the man.
It was mentioned that an official from the Philippine embassy said that he was allegedly able to post an unidentified amount of bail.
The suspect has yet to be named to the public.
Outpouring of grief and support
The Filipino community in Singaore, especially omestic helpers who comprise 40% of the filipino workforce in Singapore have felt strongly about their countrywomen’s deaths. Videos and reports of the accident have gone viral, and fundraisers have been started to assist the victims and their families in this difficult time.
Singaporean officials have also stepped up to offer assistance to the victims.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Manpower) Low Yen Ling offered sympathies and words of support to the victims recuperating in the hospital, and posted a Facebook status on the incident.
The Philippine embassy has already started arrangements to send the remains of Arlyn Nucos and Abigail Leste home.
Watch video of the Singapore Lucky Plaza accident
Here are some videos of the incident. Alvinology suggests readers be prepared for disturbing images.
Another video shows the aftermath of the incident.
Lucky Plaza is just one of many popular spots for domestic workers that the six Filipino women like to frequent during their days off. While parks are available for picnics, some domestic helpers say that they do not want to spend money for transportation, since they send most of their earnings home to their families in the Philippines.
Header image from Arlyn and Arcely Nucos Facebook account
