Does doing charity work gives them the freedom to speed?
They could have killed pedestrians. The pedestrians could be some of the elderly that received the goodie bags that the five dead men have packed.
Friends in Tanjong Pagar crash were doing charity work just hours before fatal accident
A passer-by places offerings at the site along Tanjong Pagar Road, where five men died after the BMW M4 Coupe they were driving crashed into a shophouse and burst into flames, on Feb 15, 2021.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
David Sun
16 FEB 201
SINGAPORE - They loved fast cars and luxury watches, living flashy lifestyles and were the envy of many on social media.
But the group involved in
the Tanjong Pagar crash that killed five of them also believed in helping the less fortunate.
Mr Jonathan Long, 29, was the driver of the white BMW M4 coupe that crashed into a shophouse last Saturday (Feb 13) morning.
He was killed along with four others in the car - Mr Eugene Yap, 29, Mr Elvin Tan Yong Hao, 28, Mr Wilson Teo Qi Xiang, 26, and Mr Gary Wong Hong Chieh, 29.
Mr Long's girlfriend,
Ms Raybe Oh Siew Huey, 26, is still in critical condition in the hospital, having suffered severe burns while trying to save her boyfriend and the others.
Speaking to The Straits Times, Mr Ethan Keng, 28, a friend of the group, revealed that just hours before the incident, some of them were out packing and distributing food to the elderly.
He said Mr Long, Ms Oh and Mr Tan were volunteering with charity organisation Hopes in Meals on the first day of Chinese New Year (Feb 12) last Friday, helping to give out meals to low-income seniors living in rental flats at York Hill Estate.
“They were charitable people, taking time out at least two to three times a year to help the elderly,” said Mr Keng, an insurance agent.
“Over the past few days, many people have been saying nasty things about them, but they don’t know about how they were really like.”
A spokesman for Hopes in Meals said: "They were very helpful and nice as volunteers... Ms Raybe Oh also helped us to pack goodie bags (for the elderly)."
Mr Keng said the group grew close in the past two years or so.
“They all liked fast cars and luxury watches, and worked very hard to afford the things they liked,” he said.
“They are all self-made, and never took money from friends or family to buy these things. They didn’t cheat or scam, and were nice people who cared deeply for those around them.”
He added that he was closest to Mr Tan, having known him for about seven years.
Mr Keng described him as a “people person”, and had personally delivered CNY cards and goodies to each of his hundred or so clients this year.
(Clockwise, from top left) Mr Jonathan Long, Mr Eugene Yap, Mr Gary Wong Hong Chieh and Mr Elvin Tan Yong Hao were among those who died.
PHOTOS: JONATHAN LONG/FACEBOOK, YOUGENEEEE/INSTAGRAM, GARYWONGHC/INSTAGRAM, ELVIN TAN/FACEBOOK
“Elvin is an amazing brother, and there were times I would call him at 2am because I needed someone (to talk to) and he’ll come meet me,” he said.
“But he was also the kind of guy that was always late for everything.”
Mr Tan was in the midst of finalising his promotion to manager this year, and had been recruiting for his own team.
He drove a Mercedes-Benz c180, and had been contemplating buying a BMW M4 himself.
Mr Keng believes that his friend was in the car that fateful morning as he wanted to experience how it was like before buying one himself.
“Elvin was still thinking about buying an M4, but felt like he would be splurging if he bought it,” he said.
“He also recently bought an Audemars Piguet watch, but spent months thinking about it before buying.”
Commenting on the remarks and speculation on social media, Mr Keng acknowledged that the crash could have been avoided, but urged members of the public to empathise with family members of the five dead and avoid making further hurtful comments.
“Whatever they did, you know, I agree it’s a stupid accident,” he said. “But they have paid for it with their lives. For all the speculation, the fact is they’ve paid the ultimate price for it.”
He said he would miss his friend dearly.
“Rest well Elvin, catch up with you when I see you,” he said with tears in his eyes. “This time I’m the one who’s late.”