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List of military training deaths in Singapore

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National service is conscription in Singapore; all male citizens and second-generation permanent residents are mandated by law to serve for around two years in either the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) or the Singapore Police Force (SPF). Due to training safety regulations, training deaths are rare, but do occur from time to time. Below is a list of reported deaths that resulted from training incidents:

Training deaths in Singapore

National serviceman Date Age Incident Place
Recruit (REC) Allen Tan Chong Huat 24 October 1968 19 Fatally stung by hornets.[1] Chua Chu Kang, Singapore
Sergeant (SGT) Tan Chong Giam 17 September 1979 19 Shot by a recruit at point-blank range.[2] Nee Soon Rifle Range, Singapore
Private (PTE) Edward Rengasamy 29 August 1981 18 Soldier died after iron piece pierced his throat during SAF Display Rehearsal [3] West Coast Park, Singapore
Corporal (CPL) Tamil Selvam s/o Suppiah 9 October 1982 22 Fatally wounded in a training exercise.[4] Sembawang, Singapore
Private (PTE) Tham Wai Keong 23 May 1983 19 Tham was found dead a day after he had gone missing from a route march.[5] The state coroner reported that the private died from a ruptured stomach, but an open verdict was recorded as a forensic pathologist was unable to exclude the possibility that Tham was hit by the entrenching tool found next to his body.[5][6]
Tham's death sparked an infamous urban legend about the bunk he once resided in.[7]		 Pulau Tekong, Singapore
Lieutenant (LTA) Koh Meah Wan 10 April 1984 23 Died of unspecified "serious injuries" during a training exercise.[8] Sungei Gedong, Singapore
Recruit (REC) Sim Keat Kee 13 April 1984 19 Collapsed during a two-kilometre run.[9] -
Recruit (REC) Bak Yow Hock 18 April 1984 17 Died while undergo training at School of Naval Training.[10] Sembawang, Singapore
Private (PTE) Hay Yong Chye 26 November 1986 19 Buried alive.[11] Sarimbun Ave, Singapore
Staff Sergeant (SSG) Goh Kim Loong
Corporal (CPL) Ramiya Mohan
Lieutenant (LTA) Ng Soon Hup
Lieutenant (LTA) Siow Poh Guan
Lieutenant (LTA) Wee Tong Leong
Captain (CPT) Lakbir Singh		 24 January 1987 - Helicopter crash.[12] Near Brunei International Airport, Brunei
Third Sergeant (3SG) Ronnie Tan Han Chong
Lance Corporal (LCP) Low Yin Tit		 9 March 1997 - A 155mm artillery round exploded in the barrel of a FH-2000 howitzer during a live-firing exercise conducted by the 23rd Battalion, Singapore Artillery. Twelve other servicemen were injured in the incident, including a liaison officer from the New Zealand Army. The explosion was caused by a defective fuze supplied by the Chartered Ammunition Industries which failed to ensure that the fuzes procured by its contractor met military specifications.[13] Waiouru Army Camp, New Zealand
Captain (CPT) Teddy Quah Kok Meng 11 December 1999 - Died after the car he was travelling in crashed into a tree.[14] Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland, Australia
Second Lieutenant (2LT) Daryl Loh Chuan Rong 26 February 2001 - A Full-Time National Serviceman. Thrown overboard as the Missile Gunboat he was on suddenly accelerated and struck another gunboat.[15] Changi Naval Base, Singapore
Lance-Corporal (LCP) (NS) Mohd Shahlan bin Abdul Rahim 15 May 2002 - Collapsed while taking his Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT), and died in hospital.[16] Clementi Camp, Singapore
Recruit (REC) Ivan Ho Yong Hua (REC) 10 Oct 2002 - Found unconscious at training ground and died in hospital.[17] Pulau Tekong, Singapore
Second Sergeant (2SG) Hu Enhuai 21 August 2003 - Died from asphyxia and near drowning during a POW survival training course. Four commando officers conducting the training were jailed for carrying out an inappropriate "dunking" procedure that led to his death.[18] Unspecified
Special Constable Trainee (TSC) Roslan Bin Saharo 15 May 2008 - Collapsed shortly after commencing a trial IPPT conducted at the Home Team Academy on 13 May 2008. He was reported to have been unwell before the run, and died in hospital two days later due to complications caused by heat stroke. Further enquiry found that he failed to report that he had a fever, and insisted on continuing the run despite concerns from squad-mates. Home Team Academy, Singapore
Recruit (REC) Andrew Cheah Wei Siong 10 June 2008 - Fainted during a 2 kilometre training walk as part of the enhanced Basic Military Training (BMT) for obese recruits. He was evacuated by helicopter to Singapore General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.[19] Pulau Tekong, Singapore
Officer Cadet Trainee (OCT) Lam Jia Hao Clifton[a] 12 June 2008 20 Collapsed during a jungle orientation training in Brunei; died in hospital.[21] Brunei
Private (PTE) Foo Wei Rong Joe 1 October 2008 20 Collapsed while doing pull-ups. He was later evacuated to Tengah Medical Centre, where the doctors tried to resuscitate him. He subsequently sent to National University Hospital while the medical doctor and medic continued their resuscitation attempt en route, but was subsequently pronounced dead.[22][23] Lim Chu Kang Camp, Singapore
First Warrant Officer (1WO) Tan Poh Eng 21 May 2009 53 Died in a parachuting accident.[24] Bloemfountein, South Africa
Second Lieutenant (2LT) Chan Wei Kit Nicholas 3 July 2009 21 Found pinned under Land Rover during vehicle inspection.[25] Seletar Camp, Singapore
Lance Corporal (LCP) Eugin Wee Yong Choon 28 January 2011 20 Hit by a truck driven by another serviceman while unloading stores.[26][27] Jurong Camp, Singapore
Specialist Cadet Trainee (SCT) Ee Chun Sheng 2 August 2011 21 Heart defect[28] Ama Keng Training Area, Lim Chu Kang, Singapore
Corporal (CPL) Li Hong Yang 10 January 2012 28 Collapsed after completing the 2.4 kilometre run in the IPPT.[29] Kranji Camp, Singapore
Private (PTE) Dominique Sarron Lee Rui Feng 17 April 2012 21 Breathing difficulties triggered by an allergic reaction to smoke grenades. COI found out that CPT Najib Hanuk Bin Muhamad Jalal was responsible for throwing 6 smoke grenades (three times more than needed for training). Death could have been prevent if Safety officer CPT (now MAJ) Chia Thye Siong had stopped CPT Najib.[30] Murai Urban Training Facility
Third Sergeant (3SG) Tan Mou Sheng 10 May 2012 20 Found pinned to his jeep and unconscious after its driver, 3SG Cavin Tan, lost control of the vehicle.[31] Marsiling, Singapore
Lance Corporal (LCP) Muhammad Fahrurrazi Bin Salim 12 August 2012 20 Went missing during a jungle training exercise. He was the coxswain in a convoy of four boats meant to support water crossing segment of the exercise. His body was found three days later, 200 metres from his last known position.[32] Sungai Batu Apoi river, Temburong, Brunei
Lance-Corporal (LCP) (NS) Tan Tai Sen 27 September 2012 23 Hit by falling tree while waiting to enter training area.[33] Ama Keng Training Area, Lim Chu Kang, Singapore
Third Sergeant (3SG) Chan Hiang Cheng Gavin 15 September 2017 21 His Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicle toppled sideways while he was guiding it out of difficult terrain;[34] he was heli-evacuated to Rockhampton Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.[35] Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland, Australia
Private (PTE) Lee Han Xuan Dave[b] 30 April 2018 19 Displayed signs of hyperthermia on 18 April after completing an 8 kilometre fast march. Lee was evacuated to the camp's medical centre and subsequently transferred to Changi General Hospital, where he was warded in an intensive care unit, but his condition only worsened.[37] Bedok Camp, Singapore
Corporal First Class (CFC) Liu Kai[c] 3 November 2018 22 Killed in a training accident when a Bionix AFV vehicle reversed into his Land Rover during a training exercise.[39] Murai Urban Training Facility
Corporal First Class (CFC) (NS) Aloysius Pang 24 January 2019 28 Died four days after sustaining severe chest and abdominal injuries when the barrel of a self-propelled Howitzer was lowered while he was repairing it with two other SAF personnel during Exercise Thunder Warrior.[40] Waiouru Military Camp, New Zealand

Notes

  1. ^ Posthumously awarded the title of Second-Lieutenant (2nd Lt).[20]
  2. ^ Posthumously awarded the title of Corporal First Class (CFC).[36]
  3. ^ Posthumously awarded the title of Corporal First Class (CFC).[38]

References

  1. ^ Mesenas, Clement (22 January 1969). "Hornet death: 'A need for resident doctor in camps'". The Straits Times. p. 9.
  2. ^ "Witness: Sgt punished men twice that day". The Straits Times. 13 August 1981. p. 13.
  3. ^ "Soldier died after iron piece pierced his throat". The Straits Times. 7 May 1983. p. 10.
  4. ^ "Soldier dies". The Straits Times. Retrieved 10 May 2020 – via National Library Board.
  5. ^ a b "Open verdict recorded on NS man found dead". The Straits Times. 13 September 1983.
  6. ^ Ang, Benson (10 January 2016). "Places in Singapore with a dark past". The Straits Times.
  7. ^ "Mystery of Pulau Tekong 3rd Door Bunk". API.
  8. ^ "Soldier dies in training". Singapore Monitor (2nd ed.). 10 April 1984. p. 2.
  9. ^ "Committee to probe army recruit's death". The Straits Times. 15 April 1984. p. 8.
  10. ^ "Recruit dies in training". The Straits Times. 20 April 1984. p. 11.
  11. ^ "Soldier buried alive". The Straits Times. 3 April 1987. p. 13.
  12. ^ Boey, David (17 June 2008). "Taking stock, not letting down its guard". The Straits Times. p. 20.
  13. ^ "The 155mm gun wowitzer chamber explosion on 9 Mar 97 in new ..." (PDF). www.nas.gov.sg. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 May 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  14. ^ "SAF captain killed when vehicle he was travelling in hit a tree". Channel News Asia. 12 December 1999.
  15. ^ "Onwards and Upwards: Celebrating 40 years of the Republic of Singapore Navy" (PDF). Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  16. ^ "Death of a national serviceman" (PDF). www.nas.gov.sg. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 May 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  17. ^ "Death of a Full-Time National Serviceman" (PDF). Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  18. ^ Cheong, Yvonne (8 June 2004). "4 SAF commandos charged over death of NSman". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  19. ^ "Recruit dies after walk". 10 June 2008. Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  20. ^ Ee, Jamie (15 June 2008). "Are the youth of today less rugged?". AsiaOne.
  21. ^ "RSAF pilot trainee collapses, dies during training in Brunei". AsiaOne. 12 June 2008. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  22. ^ "Soldier dies while doing chin ups". www.asiaone.com. Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  23. ^ "2008Sep30-News-Releases-02493". www.mindef.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 5 May 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  24. ^ "SAF Commando killed during overseas exercise". AsiaOne. 22 May 2009.
  25. ^ "Death of Serviceman". Mindef. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  26. ^ Ng, Julia; Chan, Wayne. "NSF dies in in-camp accident" (PDF). www.smu.edu.sg. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  27. ^ hermes (1 November 2018). "SAF captain charged over rash act causing NSF's death". The Straits Times. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  28. ^ "Checks 'could not have detected NSF's heart defect' - Tan Tock Seng Hospital". www.ttsh.com.sg. Archived from the original on 22 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  29. ^ "Five servicemen who died this year". AsiaOne. 15 May 2012.
  30. ^ "SAF suspends training with smoke grenades". asiaone.com. 20 September 2016. Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  31. ^ Choo, Deborah (11 May 2012). "SAF suspends all field training after latest NSF death". sg.news.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 16 September 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  32. ^ "Body of missing NSF in Brunei found". sg.news.yahoo.com. 12 August 2012. Archived from the original on 16 September 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  33. ^ Thursday, AsiaOne; Sep 27; 2012. "NSman dies in freak incident during in-camp training". www.asiaone.com. Retrieved 23 January 2019. {{cite web}}: |last3= has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  34. ^ "NSF death: Armoured vehicle lands on side while getting out of difficult terrain, says MINDEF". Channel NewsAsia. 16 September 2017. Archived from the original on 27 November 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  35. ^ "Singapore Army officer dies in armoured vehicle crash on Queensland coast". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 16 September 2017. Archived from the original on 14 February 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  36. ^ Hong, Jose (1 May 2018). "Military funeral for 19-year-old NSF who died after heatstroke". The Straits Times.
  37. ^ "Death of a Singapore Armed Forces Full-time National Serviceman". www.mindef.gov.sg (Press release). 30 April 2018. Archived from the original on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  38. ^ Tang, Louisa (4 November 2018). "SAF training incident: Friends mourn 'cheerful, hardworking and easygoing' NSF". Today.
  39. ^ "Full-time national serviceman dies after accident with Bionix during training". Channel NewsAsia. 3 November 2018.
  40. ^ "Actor Aloysius Pang succumbs to injuries sustained during military reservist training in New Zealand". Yahoo! Singapore. 24 January 2019.
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