A 38-year-old man was arrested after his reckless act left a bus rider injured
A disturbing incident along Orchard Road saw a man allegedly hurl a glass bottle at a passing SMRT bus, shattering a window and injuring a 57-year-old female passenger. The suspect is now under arrest and faces serious charges.
Glass Bottle Attack Shocks Commuters
On 5 July 2025 at around 6.50pm, a routine SMRT service 190 trip along Orchard Road, near The Heeren shopping mall, took a sudden turn when a glass bottle struck the bus’s upper-deck window. The impact shattered the glass, injuring a 57-year-old female passenger. Witnesses described a hole forming in the window with shards falling around.
She was quickly taken conscious to Raffles Hospital for treatment, according to the Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force.
Arrest and Ongoing Investigation
Police from Tanglin Division tracked down the suspect and arrested a 38-year-old man on 8 July. Preliminary investigations revealed that the man allegedly threw the bottle from a pedestrian walkway. An 18-year-old companion was also present and is now assisting with the investigation.
The man is expected to face court on 9 July, charged with rash act causing hurt—a criminal offence under Singapore law that carries a maximum penalty of one year’s jail, a fine of up to S$5,000, or both.
SMRT Ensures Passenger Safety
Vincent Gay, Deputy Managing Director of SMRT Buses, confirmed the object involved was indeed a bottle. The driver acted swiftly by halting the vehicle to ensure commuter safety, and passengers were transferred to another bus to complete their journey.
The incident, which has since drawn attention on Xiaohongshu and local news platforms such as The Straits Times and Lianhe Zaobao, raised concerns about commuter safety in crowded urban areas.
Community Response and Public Concern
Social media users expressed shock at the recklessness of the act, especially in a busy shopping and transit corridor like Orchard Road. Many called for harsher deterrents against similar vandalism, citing the potential for more serious injuries or even fatalities.
The prompt response by police and the swift identification of the suspect reflect the seriousness with which Singapore authorities treat acts of public endangerment.
This incident highlights how a single reckless act can endanger lives in a bustling urban environment. For both Indonesians and Singaporeans—many of whom rely on public transport in crowded cities—it serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance, swift law enforcement, and public cooperation in maintaining safety and accountability on the streets.
Sources: Straits Times (2025) , The Online Citizen (2025)
Keywords: SMRT Bus Bottle Incident, Orchard Road Vandalism, Passenger Injured Singapore, Rash Act Causing Hurt, Singapore Bus Assault, Glass Bottle Attack
