Elderly Bei-Ing Wanton Noodle Hawker Suffers Fractured Back After Being Shoved, But Will Return To Work Aug 21

“Even trying to get him to go to the hospital was already so difficult”

Mr Yeo initially resisted going for a medical examination following the incident on Saturday (Aug 15).

“He’s really very, very stubborn. I don’t know if it’s an old man thing. Even trying to get him to go to the hospital was already so difficult,” Ray tells 8days.sg.

After eventually agreeing to undergo a checkup, Mr Yeo refused to remain in the hospital for monitoring.

It’s unclear whether Mr Yeo already knew that he had fractured his back when he returned to work on Monday, or if the results only became available later.

The family declined to share further details about his medical results, saying they had been advised by the authorities to remain silent while investigations are ongoing.

“No matter how unwell he is, he’ll still show up [for work]. I really don’t know why”

According to Ray, injuries rarely stop his father from showing up at the stall.

“The only time he doesn’t work is when the coffeeshop is closed, during CNY or when he has Covid,” he says.

“No matter how unwell he is, he’ll still show up [for work]. I really don’t know why. Is being at home so boring?”

Ray previously told us that Mr Yeo once returned to work immediately after being discharged from hospital for a broken leg sustained in an accident.

He has even offered to hire more workers so his dad can take time off, but Mr Yeo rejected the suggestion.

“He said there’s no point wasting the money because even with extra help, he’ll still go to work anyway,” says Ray. “Honestly, there’s really nothing much we can say when he insists on going to work.”

Both noodle outlets busier after incident

Since the incident went viral, both Bei-Ing Wanton Noodle outlets at Roxy Square and The Bullion Hawker Bar on East Coast Road have received more visitors.

“Many people have taken the time to visit us at both outlets,” Ray tells 8days.sg. “Most of them are familiar regulars who have supported us for years, while there are also new faces who came specially to check on my father.”

The family’s spinoff outlet at The Bullion Hawker Bar has also been more crowded, particularly after customers learnt that the Roxy Square stall was temporarily closed.

“It was a little busier there too, especially after people found out that our Roxy outlet was closed,” says Ray.

The Bullion outlet remains open. “We’re still open as I have extra staff there to help manage things for us,” he says.

Customers offer to pay medical bills, bring gifts of ointment

Some customers visited Mr Yeo with gifts, while others offered to help cover his medical expenses and TCM treatments.

“What touched me the most was seeing just how much love and kindness people have for him,” says Ray.

“We’re really grateful for every single offer. It’s heartwarming. But honestly, just coming down [to the stall], asking about my father and showing care already means the world to us.”

Customers who placed orders through delivery platforms such as Grab also left messages wishing Mr Yeo well. “Reading every message made me feel very emotional,” Ray says.

Among the gifts Mr Yeo received were Salonpas pain relieving patches, herbal patches, ointment and bottles of chicken essence.

“Maybe it’s because my dad said in the media that he uses those [items]. They’re really very attentive people,” Ray shares.

However, the family hopes customers will not bring any more presents.

“Please stop bringing gifts,” Ray says, adding that the family nevertheless “really, really” appreciates the thoughtful gestures.

Roxy Square outlet reopens Aug 20; biz as usual at second stall

According to the eatery’s latest Instagram update, the stall will reopen on Thursday (Aug 20) from 11.30am to 4pm.

The senior Mr Yeo himself will return to work on Aug 21, Ray confirms.

The family thanked everyone who had visited the elderly hawker over the past few days.

“The amount of love has honestly been overwhelming,” says a post on the eatery’s Instagram account. “We’re super grateful for all the care and concern you’ve shown him.”

Has implants in both hips after traffic accident years ago

Mr Yeo has experienced mobility issues since he was involved in a traffic accident about 20 years ago.

According to Shin Min Daily News, he has implants on both sides of his hips and unequal leg lengths.

“Many people ask why he always has to hold onto tables when he walks. The truth is that he has difficulty with his legs and needs to hold onto something when walking. The doctor also told him that he must never fall,” his elder son-in-law, 54-year-old private-hire driver Zheng Zhi Cheng (transliterated), told the Chinese daily.

Mr Yeo’s younger son, Yeo Zhi Wei, 29, also told Shin Min that his father struck a table and hit his head as he fell, leaving it swollen and red.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, here’s what happened…

The incident happened on 15 Aug at the Roxy Square kopitiam. Mr Yeo was holding onto tables for support when he walked past a young girl.

“She was very adorable, so I patted her head. Old people like to pat young children’s heads,” he told Mediacorp’s 8world.

According to the senior Mr Yeo, the girl’s father became unhappy and shoved him to the ground.

The other man later apologised and offered to buy Mr Yeo a drink. Mr Yeo previously said he wanted to let the matter go as he did not wish to cause trouble.

Mr Yeo recently told Mothership that the man had not returned to the stall following the incident.

The police have identified a 40-year-old man in connection with the assault and investigations are underway.

“Members of the public are advised not to speculate on the incident or its circumstances, and to allow the police to conduct investigations and establish the facts of the case,” the police said.

Bei-Ing Wanton Noodle’s Roxy Sq outlet reopens on Aug 20. Located at #01-64 Roxy Square 1, 50 East Coast Rd, S428769. 2nd outlet at The Bullion Hawker Bar, 396 East Coast Rd, S428994. More info via Instagram.