{
  "id": 17929932,
  "title": "Thomas Ong, 57, slips & fractures ankle 10 days into 45-day Japan trip after photographing waterfall",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/thomas-ong-57-slips-fractures-ankle-10-days-into-45-day-japan-trip",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-03T07:54:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mothership",
    "slug": "mothership",
    "url": "https://mothership.sg/2026/11/thomas-ong-fractures-leg/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Singaporean actor Thomas Ong's 45-day Japan trip was abruptly ended when he suffered a serious ankle injury while photographing a waterfall. The accident happened only about a week into the journey, during which he had been exploring more secluded parts of the country. Ong initially dismissed the pain as a regular sprain, but upon experiencing worsening discomfort, he underwent an X-ray that revealed a fractured right ankle.\n\nFollowing the diagnosis, Ong was presented with two treatment alternatives by his physician. One option involved undergoing surgery to implant a metal plate to stabilize the fracture, with a recovery period of approximately two weeks. The other choice was to allow the bone to heal naturally, which was projected to take around six weeks. Ong opted for the latter option, recognizing the importance of a more extended healing process.\n\nIn his Facebook post, Ong humorously commented on his predicament, noting that his souvenirs from Japan would be his crutches. Despite this setback, Ong expressed gratitude for the timing of his injury and recovery, as it would enable him to fulfill his original plan of leading a tour group to Europe in December. During his recuperation, Ong, who lives alone, will be staying with his family.",
  "summary": "He will let his ankle heal by itself instead of having surgery.",
  "key_points": [
    "Singaporean actor Thomas Ong, 57, fractures ankle during Japan trip",
    "Injury occurs after 10 days of 45-day journey while photographing waterfall",
    "Ong chooses non-surgical healing, plans Europe tour in December"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Choosing natural healing over immediate surgery allows the actor to prioritize long-term recovery so he can remain on schedule for his upcoming professional commitments in Europe.",
  "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."
}