Zara Mei Orlic Tragedy: Four-Year-Old Girl Dies in River Valley Accident as Coroner’s Court Hears Evidence
Zara Mei Orlic, a vibrant four-year-old girl, tragically lost her life in a fatal accident in River Valley earlier this year. The coroner’s court has heard evidence that the car involved in the accident was not traveling at a high speed when it made a turn, resulting in Zara’s devastating death.
On January 23, Zara was struck by a car that had turned right into Institution Hill from River Valley Road. Despite being rushed to Singapore General Hospital (SGH), she succumbed to her injuries later that evening.
An autopsy confirmed that the cause of death was a head injury consistent with a motor vehicle collision.
The coroner’s inquest revealed that Zara’s parents had instructed their maid to avoid jaywalking at Institution Hill, but the maid did not follow this directive. The court heard that Zara was not crossing at a legal crossing zone, but there were no signs prohibiting pedestrians from doing so.
The maid, who was walking Zara and her younger sister home from preschool, admitted to not holding Zara’s hand, describing her as an “independent child” who walked ahead. The family had previously instructed the maid to use a signalized pedestrian crossing closer to Institution Hill, but she deviated from their instructions on that day.
The police received a call about the accident at 4:57 PM, and the driver, a 40-year-old woman, had been on her way home after picking up her children. She did not see Zara and only realized she had hit something after feeling the impact and hearing a scream.
The driver stopped and rushed to Zara, who was lying motionless on the road. Emergency services were alerted, and the driver remained at the scene until their arrival. Zara was taken to SGH, where she tragically died. The maid was treated for trauma and is reportedly still with the family.
In-car camera footage from the driver showed Zara crossing between two stationary vehicles when she was hit. The footage revealed that the 1m-tall child appeared for only about one second before the collision.
The Attorney-General’s Chambers will decide on any prosecution action against the driver or the maid after the coroner’s inquiry is completed. Coroner Tham will deliver the findings of the case on July 5.
Zara’s family, represented by lawyer Alfred Lim, and the driver’s lawyers were present in court. The community is mourning the loss of Zara, who was a bright and independent child. Her tragic death serves as a reminder to always prioritize safety and follow instructions to avoid such devastating accidents.
