SINGAPORE — Findings from the investigation report on the Tah Ching Road lift incident, which left an elderly woman’s hand severed, will be made public but will only be ready next month.

Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who is a Member of Parliament for Jurong Group Representation Constituency, told reporters today (Oct 25) that the authorised examiner looking into the incident had asked for more time — beyond today’s deadline — to conduct further tests.

The report will be submitted next week. A preliminary report, however, will be submitted to the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) tomorrow.

“BCA will review the findings and will make an independent assessment within a week of receiving the final investigation report,” said a BCA spokesperson.

The BCA will make the findings in the final report public a week after its submission, added the spokesperson.

This is the second time the deadline for the report has been extended. The original deadline was Oct 17. Jurong Town Council commissioned the probe after 85-year-old Khoo Bee Hua’s left hand was severed earlier this month when she tried to stop the lift doors from closing.

Madam Khoo’s son, who wanted to be known only as Mr Lee, 59, said his mother, who had two operations at the National University Hospital, was transferred to Jurong Community Hospital on Thursday and that her emotional state was “so far, so good”.

Over the past week, BCA officials and the authorised examiner have sought her medical report and spoken to her for the investigation.

Mr Lee has also viewed the CCTV footage of the incident but declined to comment on it pending the final report. He said, however, that he agreed on the additional time required by the examiner as necessary for analysing “all the angles” of the case.

He also commended the investigation team’s professionalism, such as in seeking his consent to speak to his mother. The family is now preparing for a challenging time ahead as she readjusts to daily life.

“Now, in the hospital ... someone will come if she goes to the toilet or is hungry. When she comes back home, a lot of things have to be adjusted,” said Mr Lee.