S'porean PHV driver, 66, who died a year after being assaulted, remembered as soft-spoken & always ready to help

Low Ek Yong, a 66-year-old private-hire vehicle (PHV) driver, died a year after being assaulted by one of his passengers. According to fellow drivers, Low was a gentle and generous man who was always willing to help others. On Jun. 12, 2024, Low picked up his final passenger for the day at 10:30pm. When he arrived at the passenger's home, he attempted to wake him, but the man became unhappy and assaulted Low, causing him to fall and hit his head.

Low sustained a skull fracture and was taken to National University Hospital for emergency treatment. He passed away from natural causes about a year later. A fellow PHV driver, Kelvin Lam, remembered Low as a soft-spoken, humble, and always ready to lend a helping hand. Low was semi-retired, had two children, and was a church-going man of faith.

He was supposed to go on a family holiday the day after the incident, which he learned about a few days later from a close friend. For about a year after the assault, Low remained in a coma and was unable to provide a statement to the police.