Early yesterday, as women across the world celebrated motherhood, Mr Alex Lim's mother watched her son die.

The 30-year-old financial adviser had been in hospital since he was allegedly thrown off a taxi on April 9.

Despite multiple operations, he never regained consciousness.

Even if he had pulled through, he would probably have had to live with major disabilities.

The tragedy was the result of what started out as a minor traffic dispute on the night of April 9.

Mr Lim was driving his girlfriend home for dinner, but along Paterson Road, his red Mazda was involved in a minor collision with a taxi.

Both drivers then parked along Scotts Road and got out of their vehicles. An argument ensued.

Before it was resolved, cabby Lee Yuet Kong, who was carrying a passenger at the time, allegedly got back into his taxi and tried to drive off.

Mr Lim, wanting to get Lee's particulars, stood in front of the cab, but Lee reportedly drove away, throwing him onto the bonnet.

He later allegedly braked abruptly, causing Mr Lim to fall backwards and hit his head on the road.

Lee, a 68-year-old relief driver, has been charged with causing grievous hurt with a rash act.

As a result of the accident, Mr Lim's brain swelled so much that the pressure on his skull was believed to be more than six times that of a normal person.

After he was warded, doctors operated on the right side of his head and cut out part of his brain.

In a second operation, blood clots were removed from the left side.

After doctors told the family Mr Lim's vital signs were weakening on Saturday night, about 60 to 70 friends rushed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

He died two minutes after midnight, his girlfriend, 24-year-old Ms Yvonne Lin, said.

At the wake yesterday, a 24-year-old cousin of Mr Lim said: 'Deep down in our heart, he's won the battle, fighting for more than a month.

'He fought all the way until past midnight on Mother's Day. That's the best present he could give,' she said.

It is not known whether the charge Lee faces will be changed as a result of Mr Lim's death.