Mindy is described as 'creative, intelligent and humble' by her teachers and classmates, who have been making cards for her family.
NINE-YEAR-OLD Mindy Neo was so excited about returning to school after the one-week break that she slept early just so she could wake up feeling fresh the next morning.
But the girl, who would have been 10 next month, never made it to class on Monday after an accident involving a van while she was crossing Buangkok Drive at about 6.45am.
The Primary 4 prefect at Punggol Primary School was flung about 20m on impact and died in hospital two hours later.
The 24-year-old Indonesian maid who was with Mindy at the time was injured and is now warded in Changi Hospital with head and back injuries.
The accident is believed to have occurred when the red van turned right from from Punggol Road into Buangkok Drive. Mindy and her maid were using the pedestrian crossing at the time, although it is not clear if the traffic lights were in their favour at the time.
Mindy's parents were distraught yesterday and her father, Mr Neo Hwee Choon, 43, was in tears when he spoke to reporters before her wake yesterday morning.
Just last month, father and daughter composed a song - 'Teachers' Day Love Song' - on a piano he bought her recently.
Mindy went on to record the tune onto CDs and presented them to her teachers on Teachers' Day. Mindy's death was also a blow to her principal, teachers and classmates, who described her as 'creative, intelligent and humble'.
Police have arrested the 63-year-old van driver on suspicion of causing death through a rash or negligent act, offences which could see him jailed for a maximum sentence of five years and fined.
The police are appealing for eyewitnesses and anyone with information should call the Traffic Police on 1800-547-1818.
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