{
  "id": 1896269,
  "title": "Roxy Square coffee shop altercation: Elderly man, 73, suffers fractured back after getting shoved",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/roxy-square-coffee-shop-altercation-elderly-man-73-suffers-fractured",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-19T08:50:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mothership",
    "slug": "mothership",
    "url": "https://mothership.sg/2026/08/elderly-man-thrown-ground-fractured-back/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 15, Bei-Ing Wanton Noodle's Roxy Square coffee shop witnessed an altercation that resulted in a 73-year-old elderly man, Yeo Song Khoon, suffering a fractured back. The incident unfolded when Yeo, who had been selling wanton noodles at the stall for over four decades, patted a young girl on the head. The girl's mother intervened, and Yeo's 35-year-old son intervened, causing Yeo to lose balance and fall to the ground.\n\nIn a CCTV footage released on August 17, Yeo can be seen patting the girl on the head. The girl's father then approached Yeo, grabbed his arm, and swung him around, causing the elderly man to stumble and fall. Fellow customers quickly assisted Yeo to his feet. The girl's father subsequently apologized and offered to buy Yeo a drink, but the elderly man declined, stating, \"I don't want to cause any trouble. It's okay to just leave it, it's all right. I don't want to cause any trouble.\"\n\nYeo, who had been experiencing back pain and difficulty walking, underwent a medical check-up on August 16 and was advised to remain in the hospital for observation. However, he chose not to stay and returned to work the following day. Despite his decision, his family insisted that a police report was filed regarding the incident. Yeo's doctor has since recommended spinal surgery as the best course of action, but if he declines, physiotherapy and medication will be required instead. The Roxy Square outlet was closed for two days following the incident and is scheduled to reopen on August 20.",
  "summary": "The doctor has advised that spinal surgery would be the best option for his condition.",
  "key_points": [
    "73-year-old Yeo Song Khoon suffers fractured back in Roxy Square coffee shop altercation.",
    "Young girl's mother intervenes, causing Yeo to fall after patting her head.",
    "Yeo declines police report, opts for physiotherapy over spinal surgery."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The altercation at Roxy Square coffee shop highlights a disproportionate response to a common gesture of affection, leaving the elderly vendor with a serious injury and a recommended surgery.",
  "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."
}