Maid fell to death after ignoring advice not to stand on stool near open window

A MAID would stand on a stool to reach items she had placed on a bamboo pole near the window of her room. Her employer had warned her not to do so but on March 5 this year, the body of Ms Etik Darmayanti, 29, was found sprawled on the ground nine stories down.

At the inquiry into her death today, State Coroner Toh Yung Cheong said that in all probability Ms Etik was standing on a stool and stretching her hand to reach the bag hanging from the bamboo pole when she lost her balance and accidentally fell through the window.

Police do not suspect any foul play. Investigations also indicated that Ms Etik was happy working for the family of Madam Tok Bi Chen.

The 34-year-old housewife had woken her husband when she was unable to find the maid in their ninth-storey flat in Dover Road at 6.30am on March 5. They then looked down from the open window of the maid's room and saw her body.

Manager Lim Kim Hong, 44, of the maid agency told investigators that Ms Etik was happy working for the family and that she was an experienced maid, having worked in Hong Kong and for other households in Singapore.