Incident and Medical Status
A 73-year-old hawker, Yeo Song Khoon, is currently facing a difficult medical recovery after being shoved to the ground at a Roxy Square coffee shop on East Coast Road. The incident, which occurred on August 15, has left the longtime wanton noodle seller with a fractured back. Medical professionals have advised that spinal surgery is the most viable option for his recovery, though the victim has also been presented with alternatives involving physiotherapy and medication.
The altercation was captured on CCTV, showing Mr. Yeo walking past a table after closing his stall. He reached out to pat a young girl on the head, an action he later described as a gesture of affection for an “adorable” child. The girl’s father, who was seated at the table, reacted by confronting Mr. Yeo, grabbing him, and swinging him to the ground. While the father reportedly offered to buy Mr. Yeo a drink afterward, the physical impact resulted in immediate and persistent back pain for the elderly man.
Police Investigation and Public Reaction
The incident has triggered an official police investigation, with Mr. Yeo’s family confirming that a report has been filed. Despite his injuries and initial difficulty walking, Mr. Yeo had attempted to return to work, relying on painkillers to manage the discomfort before finally agreeing to seek formal medical assessment on August 16.
The case gained significant traction online after footage of the confrontation went viral. This visibility drew both support for the hawker and intense scrutiny toward the individuals involved. Among those who visited Mr. Yeo was Singaporean actor Noah Yap, a regular customer of the stall for over two decades. Mr. Yap’s public show of support faced backlash from some netizens, who accused him of using the incident as a publicity stunt to “fight for the limelight.”
Addressing the Backlash
Actor Noah Yap, known for his role in the Ah Boys To Men franchise, publicly addressed the criticism on August 17. He emphasized that his connection to Mr. Yeo is long-standing, dating back to his own primary school years. “Uncle practically saw me grow up,” Mr. Yap stated in a social media post, dismissing the allegations of seeking publicity and urging the public to prioritize kindness over conflict. He further noted that he visited the stall specifically to check on Mr. Yeo’s well-being after learning of the incident.
As the community awaits further updates from authorities, the Roxy Square outlet of Bei-Ing Wanton Noodle, which closed temporarily on August 18 and 19, is scheduled to resume operations on August 20. Mr. Yeo is expected to return to his stall on August 21, pending his physical recovery.