http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/sia-pilot-in-nz-car-crash/1407484.html
The Singapore Airlines (SIA) pilot who pleaded guilty to reckless driving in an accident in New Zealand in which two of his co-workers were seriously injured has been ordered to pay NZ$10,000 (S$9,998) to each victim, according to reports in New Zealand.
Benjamin Yonghao Wu, 32, was also banned from driving for 18 months.
During his sentencing at the Christchurch District Court on Friday (Oct 10), Judge Stephen O'Driscoll said Wu was lucky to be alive, Radio New Zealand reported.
Wu was driving a rental car on Oct 1 with four of his colleagues when he ran a stop sign and crashed into a four-wheel drive towing a horse float near Rolleston, south of Christchurch.
Two of the passengers, chief steward Chew Weng Wai and stewardess Vanessa Leonara Savio Coelho, suffered serious injuries in the accident. Both were sitting in the backseat and not wearing seatbelts, the court heard.Two other passengers were unhurt and have returned to Singapore.
Before the court’s ruling on Friday, Wu had already paid NZ$15,000 into the court’s trust account for “emotional harm reparation”, the report said.
In a statement released to APNZ after sentencing, Wu said he took responsibility for the accident. "I sincerely apologise for all that has happened. It was never my intention for any of this to happen. I take responsibility as the driver of the car and I am truly sorry for what has happened.
"I am thankful that everyone involved in this accident is showing signs of improvement and recovery and I just wish we can move on from here so my friends and colleagues can focus on becoming healthy and well again."
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