SINGAPORE - He stopped to help a tipper truck driver, whose vehicle had broken down in Tanah Merah Coast Road on Wednesday evening (June 20).

But the 31-year-old passer-by was killed in a chain collision instead, after a lorry came hurtling towards the tipper truck, crushing him in between the two vehicles.

In response to queries, the police said they were alerted to an accident involving a tipper truck and three lorries in Tanah Merah Coast Road towards Changi Coast Road at about 7pm.

A 31-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics, they said.

The Straits Times understands that the man was crushed between the tipper truck and one of the lorries, which had surged forward after it was hit by another lorry.

A third lorry had sparked the chain collision, after its driver lost control while driving along the road.

Police said that the driver, a 22-year-old man, was arrested for causing death by a negligent act. ST understands that he was behind the wheel of the last lorry in the chain collision.

He was trapped in the lorry after the collision and had to be rescued by Singapore Civil Defence Force officers using hydraulic tools.

He was conscious when taken to Changi General Hospital.

Another lorry driver, a 33-year-old man, was also taken to the hospital for his injuries.

Police investigations are ongoing.