{
  "id": 12615621,
  "title": "7-year-old girl’s death after minibus struck her ruled a road traffic-related accident",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/7-year-old-girls-death-after-minibus-struck-her-ruled-a-road-traffic",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-07T11:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Straits Times",
    "slug": "straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/7-year-old-girls-death-after-minibus-struck-her-ruled-a-road-traffic-related-accident"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The death of a seven-year-old girl, Nivya Rameshwar, after being struck by a minibus in Sengkang, Singapore, was officially classified as a \"road traffic-related accident\" by the state coroner on October 7, 2024. The tragic incident occurred at approximately 6:20 am on August 15, 2024, and Nivya succumbed to her injuries in a hospital about an hour later.\n\nNivya's domestic helper, Sivakumar Ilavarasi, had accompanied the young girl to a carpark service road at their condominium block, The Topiary in Fernvale Lane, in the hope of waiting for her school bus. Sivakumar instructed Nivya to remain at a gate of the block while she placed her school bags on the opposite side of the road. However, Nivya was nowhere to be found when Sivakumar returned, having placed the bags down and turned around.\n\nMeanwhile, Phua Hak Heong, a 68-year-old minibus driver, had just collected a student from another block within the condominium complex. He was driving along the service road when he saw Sivakumar crossing from right to left. Although he claimed to have felt an impact on the front right side of his minibus and realized he had hit someone, Phua did not, in fact, see Nivya. Phua later admitted to the authorities that he was unaware of Nivya's presence.\n\nUpon hearing the commotion, Nivya's father, Rameshwar Khirodhar, spotted the helper cradling his daughter and rushed to the window to check on her. Their mother, Neela Kanagasundaram, who is a nurse, quickly followed. Their neighbor also alerted the relevant authorities. Tragically, Nivya suffered severe chest and abdominal injuries and was rushed to Sengkang General Hospital, where she passed away at around 7:30 am.\n\nPhua Hak Heong was subsequently arrested but ultimately faced no charges. Neela Kanagasundaram, visibly emotional during a press conference outside the courtroom following the hearing on October 7, described her daughter as a kind, compassionate, and loving girl who could brighten any room with her smile. She expressed her pain and grief, acknowledging the need for authorities to determine the necessary steps to prevent similar accidents in the future.",
  "summary": "The state coroner said pedestrians might not be seen by drivers because of the height of some bushes and walls.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}