Raybe Oh
Raybe Oh Siew Huey is a Malaysian-born Chinese, and a former air stewardess and getai singer residing in Singapore. She is perhaps best known for her involvement in a fatal car crash in Tanjong Pagar in February 2021, from which she sustained severe burns to most of her body.
Background
Professional Career
According to reports, Raybe used to work as a flight attendant for Singapore Airlines, however she had not been working in that capacity since the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]
Getai Singer
Raybe has been performing in getai since she was 16.[2] She started performing in Singapore in 2013 when she was 19 years old, and did so to earn some extra income to pay for her polytechnic fees.[2] When she first started out, she earned about $100 per show, during which she would sing three songs.[2]
Beauty Business Owner
As of June 2022, Raybe started a beauty business venture in Bugis called ‘Royal Skin Haus’ with a close friend.[3] The business offers aesthetic beauty services such as hair removal, skin treatments and fat freezing.[4] She shared that it had always been her dream to be a business owner, and that after the incident, she has decided to step out of her comfort zone to show that someone with a “strong personality” can achieve anything.[5]
Involvement in Tanjong Pagar Car Crash
Raybe is perhaps most recognised for her injuries in a fatal car accident that took place during the 2021 Chinese New Year period. The fatal Tanjong Pagar crash involved a BMW M4 coupe driven by her fiancé, Jonathan Long, along with four other passengers.[6]
Prior to the accident, Raybe was with Jonathan and a group of friends, who were dining and drinking alcohol at a Korean restaurant along Tanjong Pagar.[7]
After the car had crashed into the shophouse and had caught fire, Raybe rushed into the blaze in an attempt to rescue her fiancé and friends, albeit being unsuccessful.[8] She suffered severe burns to over 80 percent of her body, and was subsequently warded at the Intensive Care Unit at Singapore General Hospital.[8] She was eventually moved out of intensive care after 10 days, and discharged in June.[9][10]
In December 2021, Raybe shared in a series of Instagram Stories that she did not regret attempting to save her fiancé from the fire, though she would have stopped him from driving the fast car if she could turn back time.[11] She also revealed that they were together for almost 3 years.[11]
Interview in June 2022
In June 2022, Raybe appeared in an interview with Channel NewsAsia, her first on-screen appearance since the accident.
She shared that since the accident, her life has been “very boring”.[5] She described how she used to be “very active”, but has since lost a lot of muscle mass and also has to avoid the sunlight in order to protect her skin.[5] She also had to give up her getai singing career, though she hopes to eventually recover and perform again. Her recovery journey involved undergoing over 40 reconstructive surgeries, monthly laser procedures and weekly checkups.[5]
Speaking on her decision to step back into the public eye, she said:
"I hope my story can inspire them to be strong, because when one door closes, another opens."
"There's more I can do without my looks. I want to show people that a strong personality can achieve anything I want as long as I'm determined and focused and disciplined."[5]
Citations / References
- ↑ Ann, Danielle. “Who Is Raybe Oh Siew Huey? Girlfriend Of BMW Tanjong Pagar Crash Driver Fighting In ICU”. Alvinology. February 16, 2021. Accessed 10 June 2022.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Yeo, Sam Jo & Lai, Linette. “Getais they are a-changin'”. The Straits Times. August 23, 2013. Accessed 10 June 2022.
- ↑ MustShareNews. “Raybe Oh Underwent 40 Surgeries After Tanjong Pagar Accident, Now Runs Beauty Business: CNA Interview”. MustShareNews. June 8, 2022. Accessed 10 June 2022.
- ↑ Royal Skin Haus. “Royal Skin Haus - Our Services”. Royal Skin Haus. n.d. Accessed 13 June 2022.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Lok, Cherie. “Tanjong Pagar car crash: Woman who suffered serious burns wants second shot at life”. Channel NewsAsia. June 8, 2022. Accessed 11 June 2022.
- ↑ Sun, David & Koh, Fabian. “5 killed in Tanjong Pagar crash: 29-year-old driver believed to have sped before crashing into shophouse”. The Straits Times. February 15, 2021. Accessed 10 June 2022.
- ↑ MustShareNews. “Driver In Tanjong Pagar Accident Was Intoxicated, Travelled At Thrice The Speed Limit: Coroner’s Inquiry”. MustShareNews. June 9, 2022. Accessed 10 June 2022.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Thet, Nyi Nyi. “Lady who tried to save boyfriend & friends from burning car 'fighting for her life' at SGH”. Mothership. February 13, 2021. Accessed 10 June 2022.
- ↑ Yeo, Julia. “Woman out of ICU & conscious 10 days after rushing to save boyfriend from burning car in Tanjong Pagar”. Mothership. February 23, 2021. Accessed 10 June 2022.
- ↑ Sun, David. “Tanjong Pagar crash: Raybe Oh needs multiple operations next year but says she's 'getting a lot better'”. The Straits Times. November 26, 2021. Accessed 10 June 2022.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Lee, Jeremy. “Raybe Oh Spent 4 Months In Hospital, Feels Sorry For Family’s Pain”. MustShareNews. December 11, 2021. Accessed 10 June 2022.