Post by Wes on Jan 24, 2006 12:54:14 GMT 8
AT FIRST, it seemed like just a minor traffic accident in Johor Baru.
Mr Zhang shows the damage done to his head and face (below left). --Pics/SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS
But it soon escalated into a fight which left this Singapore permanent resident businessman with a fractured skull, a swollen face and cuts on his head that required over 20 stitches.
The victim, who gave his name only as Mr Zhang, told Shin Min Daily News that he was even threatened with death by a group of road-rage bullies.
The attack happened two weekends ago at a petrol station opposite the City Square shopping mall. Mr Zhang, who was born in JB, was on his way back to Singapore with his wife and young daughter after visiting his parents.
He had just pumped petrol and was driving off when a JB-registered car from the main road hit his car.
The driver asked Mr Zhang to get out from his car, which he obliged.
The businessman claimed that the driver immediately used profanities on him and started to throw punches.
Mr Zhang retrieved the steering lock from his car to defend himself. But it soon proved useless as the latter snatched the lock and used it to hit him.
Mr Zhang said: 'The man kept whacking my head with the steering lock. I felt a sharp pain on my head and soon found myself drenched in blood.'
He said that during the attack, he told his wife and daughter to remain in the car. His wife used her camera-enabled handphone to snap a picture of the attack.
'They kept shouting, 'Please stop fighting.' They also shouted for help, but no one stepped forward,' Mr Zhang recalled. 'Some drivers even pressed their horns out of impatience.'
The attack was stopped by two men, who claimed to be plainclothes policemen, recalled Mr Zhang.
He asked how they could help but they would not answer. They also forbade him to go to the police station or the hospital to seek medical assistance.
Around 30 minutes later, Mr Zhang said six men appeared and demanded that he get out of his car. He did so because he thought they were policemen.
But one of them asked him this chilling question: 'Do you want to die? Don't you want to go back to Singapore anymore?'
Immediately, they attacked him. Fending off the punches and kicks, he scampered back into his car and sped off to the police station to lodge a report. He said the first attacker also lodged a report against him at the same station.
Mr Zhang later went to a nearby hospital in JB, where the doctors found two cuts on his head measuring 1.5cm and 5cm. He required over 20 stitches for the injuries.
He added that the doctors also had to do an immediate head surgery, which lasted 2 1/2-hours because he had sustained a skull fracture.
He claims he's still suffering the effects of the attack. He said he needs to take tranquilisers before sleep every night because of recurring nightmares.
He also suffers constant dizziness and can't drive his car.
He has this advice for Singaporeans who find themselves in similar situations: 'Whatever happens, stay in your car for the safety of yourself and your family.'
Mr Zhang shows the damage done to his head and face (below left). --Pics/SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS
But it soon escalated into a fight which left this Singapore permanent resident businessman with a fractured skull, a swollen face and cuts on his head that required over 20 stitches.
The victim, who gave his name only as Mr Zhang, told Shin Min Daily News that he was even threatened with death by a group of road-rage bullies.
The attack happened two weekends ago at a petrol station opposite the City Square shopping mall. Mr Zhang, who was born in JB, was on his way back to Singapore with his wife and young daughter after visiting his parents.
He had just pumped petrol and was driving off when a JB-registered car from the main road hit his car.
The driver asked Mr Zhang to get out from his car, which he obliged.
The businessman claimed that the driver immediately used profanities on him and started to throw punches.
Mr Zhang retrieved the steering lock from his car to defend himself. But it soon proved useless as the latter snatched the lock and used it to hit him.
Mr Zhang said: 'The man kept whacking my head with the steering lock. I felt a sharp pain on my head and soon found myself drenched in blood.'
He said that during the attack, he told his wife and daughter to remain in the car. His wife used her camera-enabled handphone to snap a picture of the attack.
'They kept shouting, 'Please stop fighting.' They also shouted for help, but no one stepped forward,' Mr Zhang recalled. 'Some drivers even pressed their horns out of impatience.'
The attack was stopped by two men, who claimed to be plainclothes policemen, recalled Mr Zhang.
He asked how they could help but they would not answer. They also forbade him to go to the police station or the hospital to seek medical assistance.
Around 30 minutes later, Mr Zhang said six men appeared and demanded that he get out of his car. He did so because he thought they were policemen.
But one of them asked him this chilling question: 'Do you want to die? Don't you want to go back to Singapore anymore?'
Immediately, they attacked him. Fending off the punches and kicks, he scampered back into his car and sped off to the police station to lodge a report. He said the first attacker also lodged a report against him at the same station.
Mr Zhang later went to a nearby hospital in JB, where the doctors found two cuts on his head measuring 1.5cm and 5cm. He required over 20 stitches for the injuries.
He added that the doctors also had to do an immediate head surgery, which lasted 2 1/2-hours because he had sustained a skull fracture.
He claims he's still suffering the effects of the attack. He said he needs to take tranquilisers before sleep every night because of recurring nightmares.
He also suffers constant dizziness and can't drive his car.
He has this advice for Singaporeans who find themselves in similar situations: 'Whatever happens, stay in your car for the safety of yourself and your family.'
