Three people have sued NParks in 2 separate lawsuits for negligence, one over a wild boar attack and another over electrical cables that were laid across a pathway in Botanic Gardens.
They are seeking more than S$50,000 in specified expenses and lost earnings, on top of other damages, interest and legal costs:
https://cna.asia/4zwKLno
Here are the full details of the two lawsuits against NParks, as reported by CNA:
Lawsuit 1: Wild Boar Attack — Bukit Panjang
Claimant: Ms Durga Devi Subramaniam
Incident date: May 1, 2023, ~11:50pm — at a bus stop along Bangkit Road
Filed: April 29, 2026
What happened
- Ms Durga was attacked by a wild boar, bitten, and "caught and tossed three times"
- Injuries: right calf, fingers, palm, buttocks; required multiple surgeries including repair of ulnar nerve branches
- Suffered permanent disability to her right hand from nerve damage
- Taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital by ambulance
Allegations against NParks
- Negligence in managing wild boars near residential areas and roads
- Failed to prevent human injury, maintain fences, or exercise reasonable care in managing human-boar interactions
Damages sought
- S$39,827.10 in special damages:
- S$7,407.32 — medical bills & transport
- S$32,027.38 — pre-trial loss of earnings
- Plus: general damages (pain & suffering), loss of earning capacity, future earnings & medical expenses, interest, and legal costs
NParks' defence
- Denied all negligence; said it took "all reasonable efforts" via monitoring, education, enforcement, removal, and habitat management
- The boar had been hit by a vehicle 5 minutes earlier at ~11:45pm on the same road, sustaining serious injuries — the attack arose from circumstances beyond NParks' control
- Contends Ms Durga was also negligent: failed to keep a proper lookout, maintain safe distance, or take reasonable care for her own safety
Lawsuit 2: Trip over Cable Cover — Singapore Botanic Gardens
Claimants: Mr Lim Fon Kui and Ms Wong Sung Mui
Incident date: July 27, 2025, ~noon — beside Swan Lake, walking toward Tanglin Gate car park
Filed: April 1, 2026
What happened
- They tripped over a temporary cable cover laid across a pedestrian path for a festival event
- Taken by ambulance to National University Hospital
- Injuries:
- Mr Lim: bruises to right shoulder and right knee
- Ms Wong: fractured right knee, abrasions to right wrist; her spectacles were also damaged
Allegations against NParks
- Created a tripping hazard by laying cables across a public walkway
- Failed to ensure the cover was flush with the path, provide adequate warning signs, or reroute cables away from the path
Damages sought
- More than S$11,000 in total medical expenses for both claimants
- Plus: general damages, transport costs, cost of damaged spectacles, interest, and legal costs
NParks' defence
- The cable cover was installed by a subcontractor of Pico Art International — an independent contractor selected via government tender — not by NParks staff
- The cover was standard design with sloped edges and a bright yellow strip, intended to reduce tripping risk over exposed cables
- Incident occurred in full daylight; the hazard was "open and obvious"
- NParks is not vicariously liable for the contractor's work; claimants were contributorily negligent for failing to watch their step
Case Status
- Both cases are pending before the State Courts of Singapore
- Both are scheduled for a case management mention on August 21, 2026
- Total specified amounts claimed exceed S$50,000 (S$39,827.10 + over S$11,000), plus all additional damages, interest, and costs
Fractured back and mention of spinal means if untreated let it drag long soon he can only sit on a wheelchair for life! What is he thinking? Maybe at 73 he worry push into OT cannot come out already?