Contract Cleaner Collapses and Dies on Hall 3 Rooftop

A 49-year-old cleaner died on the Hall 3 rooftop while on duty.

by Liu Ting Ting, Managing Editor

GRIEF: A visibly distraught Madam Lela Moidu (second from left) waits for the undertakers to remove the body of Mr Ibrahim Moidu from Block 3E, Hall of Residence 3. Despite attempts by colleagues and the SCDF to resuscitate him, Mr Ibrahim Moidu was pronounced dead around noon.
PHOTO: WAN ZHONG HAO

A 49-year-old cleaner died around noon on the rooftop of Hall of Residence 3, where he was assigned to clean the water tank today (24 Jan).

The victim, identified as Mr Ibrahim Moidu, said he was feeling unwell this morning and had stopped work to rest.

But moments later, he collapsed, foaming at his mouth and bleeding from his ears and nose.

His colleagues rushed to pick up the automated external defibrillator from Hall of Residence 3’s office in an attempt to resuscitate him.

Paramedics from the Singapore Civil Defence Force later arrived at the scene and attempted to revive Mr Ibrahim. He was pronounced dead at about 12pm.

His sister, Madam Lela Moidu, 48, who arrived at the scene at 2.30pm with three other siblings, told the Nanyang Chronicle that he had been suffering from chest pains.

“He has chest pains and I told him to see a doctor. But he kept telling me never mind and he will go when he is free,” she said.

His siblings added that their parents had died from heart attacks.

He leaves behind his wife and three children who live in Bandung, Indonesia.

The family has been informed but are unable to travel to Singapore (as of press time) as their passports had expired.

Mr Ibrahim, who resides in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, has worked with local cleaning company YPI Clrwater for six years.

His superior declined to comment as police are still investigating the incident.

Mr Ibrahim was remembered as a “vocal and bright” man by his family members.

“It’s very sudden, we are supposed to visit our eldest brother in Kuantan this weekend and he had already bought all the tickets,” said Madam Lela, “but I think his time has come.”

Police investigations are ongoing.

INVESTIGATIONS ONGOING: Police arrive at the scene.
PHOTO: YEO KAI WEN