List of military training deaths in Singapore explained

Singapore maintains an active conscription system in accordance with the regulations set by the Government of Singapore, known as National Service (NS).[1] This requires all qualified male Singaporean citizens and second-generation permanent residents to serve a period of active duty military service in the uniformed services, in either the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) or the Singapore Police Force (SPF).[2] Below is a list of reported deaths that resulted from training incidents.

Service-related deaths in Singapore

National serviceman Date Age Incident Place
Recruit (REC) Allen Tan Chong Huat 19 Fatally stung by hornets.[3] Chua Chu Kang, Singapore
Second Lieutenant (2LT) Tay Seow Kai 21 2LT Tay grabbed a grenade from a recruit who fumbled while handling the grenade during a live exercise. The grenade detonated in his hand, killing him and causing minor injuries for 2 others.[4] Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute, Singapore
Private (PTE) Edward Rengasamy 29 August 1981 18 Soldier died after iron piece pierced his throat during SAF Display Rehearsal [5] West Coast Park, Singapore
Corporal (CPL) Tamil Selvam s/o Suppiah9 October 198222Fatally wounded in a training exercise.[6] Sembawang, Singapore
Private (PTE) Tham Wai Keong 23 May 1983 18 Tham was found dead a day after he had gone missing from a route march.[7] 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.[8] Pulau Tekong, Singapore
Lieutenant (LTA) Koh Meah Wan 10 April 1984 23 Died of unspecified "serious injuries" during a training exercise.[9] Sungei Gedong, Singapore
Recruit (REC) Sim Keat Kee 13 April 1984 19 Collapsed during a two-kilometre run.[10] -
Recruit (REC) Bak Yow Hock 18 April 1984 17 Died while undergo training at School of Naval Training.[11] Sembawang, Singapore
Private (PTE) Hay Yong Chye 26 November 1986 19 Buried alive.[12] 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.[13] Near Brunei International Airport, Brunei
Private (PTE) Lim Chee Keng 19 February 1994 21 Collapsed at the end of a 10-kilometre run.[14] Kranji, Singapore
Second Lieutenant (2LT) Zulhelmi Mohammad Said 3 August 1996 20 Struck by lightning while moving his platoon out of a training area due to bad weather.[15] [16] Lim Chu Kang, Singapore
Officer Cadet Trainee (OCT) Tan Sek Hong9 December 199619Tan Choon Ming (OCT), 20, loaded a general purpose machine gun without permission and meddled with its trigger in front of a group of officer cadets trainees. He shot Tan Sek Hong, 19, in the chest. Tan later died of a gun shot wound.[17] Rest area of the live-firing area of Safti Camp, off Upper Jurong Road
Third Sergeant (3SG) Ronnie Tan Han Chong
Lance Corporal (LCP) Low Yin Tit
- 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.[18]
Captain (CPT) Teddy Quah Kok Meng11 December 1999 - Died after the vehicle he was travelling in crashed into a tree.[19] Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland, Australia
Second Lieutenant (2LT) Daryl Loh Chuan Rong - A Full-Time National Serviceman. Thrown overboard as the Missile Gunboat he was on suddenly accelerated and struck another gunboat.[20] Changi Naval Base, Singapore
Corporal (CPL) Kwok Wei Ming 20 A Full-Time National Serviceman. Collapsed during a Commando Battalion training and died in camp after being transported to its medical facility.[21] Hendon Camp, Singapore
Lance-Corporal (LCP) (NS) Mohd Shahlan bin Abdul Rahim - Collapsed while taking his Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT), and died in hospital.[22] Clementi Camp, Singapore
Recruit (REC) Ivan Ho Yong Hua - Found unconscious at training ground and died in hospital.[23] Pulau Tekong, Singapore
Second Sergeant (2SG) Hu Enhuai - 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.[24] Pulau Tekong, Singapore
First Sergeant (1SG) Shiva s/o Mohan13 July 2005-Accident while performing heli-borne rappelling. Also involved one other foreign serviceman.[25] Sembawang Airbase
Special Constable Trainee (TSC) Roslan Bin Saharo - 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- 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.[26] Pulau Tekong, Singapore
Second-Lieutenant (2nd Lt) Lam Jia Hao Clifton20 Collapsed during a jungle orientation training in Brunei; died in hospital.[27] Brunei
Private (PTE) Foo Wei Rong Joe 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.[28] [29] Lim Chu Kang Camp, Singapore
First Warrant Officer (1WO) Tan Poh Eng 53 Died in a parachuting accident.[30] Bloemfountein, South Africa
2nd Warrant Officer (2WO) Poh Eng Huat 36 Found unconscious at 6.05pm in a flight crew room after performing 'tunnel crawl demo of an F-5 Tiger aircraft. He was later sent to the Changi General Hospital where the SAF doctors and medics team continued their attempts to resuscitate him en route to the hospital. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead at 7:24pm at the Changi General Hospital. Paya Lebar Airbase, Singapore
2nd Lieutenant Nicholas Chan Wei Kit 23 Hit backwards by a reversing Land Rover driven by Private Muhammad Abdul Qaiyuum Muhammed Iskander at the garage while 2LT Nicholas was performing engine checks behind the vehicle. Seletar Camp, Singapore
Lance Corporal (LCP) Eugin Wee Yong Choon 20 Hit by a truck driven by another serviceman while unloading stores.[31] [32] Jurong Camp, Singapore
Specialist Cadet Trainee (SCT) Ee Chun Sheng 21 Found not breathing after separated from his teammates during a training exercise. Due to either "natural disease process" caused by a heart defect or possible heat stroke.[33] Ama Keng Training Area, Lim Chu Kang, Singapore
Corporal (CPL) Li Hong Yang 28 Collapsed after completing the 2.4 kilometre run in the IPPT.[34] Kranji Camp, Singapore
Private (PTE) Dominique Sarron Lee Rui Feng 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 prevented if Safety officer CPT (now LTC) Chia Thye Siong had stopped CPT Najib.[35] Murai Urban Training Facility
Third Sergeant (3SG) Tan Mou Sheng 20 Found pinned to his jeep and unconscious after its driver, 3SG Cavin Tan, lost control of the vehicle.[36] Marsiling, Singapore
Lance Corporal (LCP) Muhammad Fahrurrazi Bin Salim 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.[37] Sungai Batu Apoi river, Temburong District, Brunei
Lance-Corporal (LCP) (NS) Tan Tai Seng 23 Hit by falling tree while waiting to enter training area.[38] Ama Keng Training Area, Lim Chu Kang, Singapore
Third Sergeant (3SG) Chan Hiang Cheng Gavin 21 His Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicle toppled sideways while he was guiding it out of difficult terrain;[39] he was heli-evacuated to Rockhampton Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.[40] Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland, Australia
Corporal First Class (CFC) Lee Han Xuan Dave19 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.[41] Bedok Camp, Singapore
Corporal First Class (CFC) Liu Kai22 Killed in a training accident when a Bionix AFV vehicle reversed into his Land Rover during a training exercise.[42] Murai Urban Training Facility
Corporal First Class (CFC) (NS) Aloysius Pang28 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.[43] Waiouru Military Camp, New Zealand

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Enlistment Act (Chapter 93) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151128031722/http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/aol/search/display/view.w3p;ident=2b227059-16f5-4e00-b072-9eabe9610530;page=0;query=DocId%3A%227c7b1aab-8403-4443-b322-0cba08be5d45%22%20Status%3Ainforce%20Depth%3A0;rec=0#pr1-he-.#pr1-he-. . 28 November 2015 . Singapore Statutes Online.
  2. , section 2
  3. News: Mesenas. Clement. 22 January 1969. Hornet death: 'A need for resident doctor in camps'. 9. The Straits Times. 10 May 2020. 21 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220521160137/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19690122-1.2.71. live.
  4. Web site: CO12038 Making Things Right: Retrospective Honours for Distinguished Act - RSIS . 2023-09-15 . www.rsis.edu.sg . en-US . 9 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230909045428/https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/rsis/1700-making-things-right-retrospec/ . live .
  5. News: 7 May 1983. Soldier died after iron piece pierced his throat.. 10. The Straits Times. 10 May 2020. 4 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201004071928/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19830507-1.2.37. live.
  6. Web site: Soldier dies. The Straits Times. National Library Board. 2020-05-10. 4 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201004093733/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19821010-1.2.32. live.
  7. News: Open verdict recorded on NS man found dead . The Straits Times . 13 September 1983 . 16 February 2019 . 16 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190216212322/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19830913-1.2.34 . live .
  8. News: Ang . Benson . Places in Singapore with a dark past . The Straits Times . 10 Jan 2016 . 16 February 2019 . 17 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190217030213/https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/places-in-singapore-with-a-dark-past . live .
  9. News: 10 April 1984. Soldier dies in training. 2nd. 2. Singapore Monitor. 10 May 2020. 3 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201003011247/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/singmonitor19840410-2.2.6.2. live.
  10. News: 15 April 1984. Committee to probe army recruit's death. 8. The Straits Times. 10 May 2020. 4 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201004003111/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19840415-1.2.20. live.
  11. News: 20 April 1984. Recruit dies in training. 11. The Straits Times. 10 May 2020. 21 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220521154121/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19840420-1.2.23.12. live.
  12. News: 3 April 1987. Soldier buried alive. 13. The Straits Times. 10 May 2020. 2 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201002154042/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19870403-1.2.28.9. live.
  13. News: Taking stock, not letting down its guard. David. Boey. 20. The Straits Times. 17 June 2008.
  14. News: NSF dies after run. 24. The Straits Times. 20 February 1994.
  15. Web site: CO12038 Making Things Right: Retrospective Honours for Distinguished Act - RSIS . 2023-09-15 . www.rsis.edu.sg . en-US . 9 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230909045428/https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/rsis/1700-making-things-right-retrospec/ . live .
  16. Web site: NSMan killed by lightning strike . eresources.nlb.gov.sg.
  17. Web site: 19 June 1997 . Training death: NSF admits to rash act, The Straits Times, page 40 . 2023-05-21 . eresources.nlb.gov.sg . en-SG . 15 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230915064405/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19970619-1.2.45.12 . live .
  18. Web site: The 155mm gun wowitzer chamber explosion on 9 Mar 97 in new .... www.nas.gov.sg. https://web.archive.org/web/20180509031437/http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/MINDEF_19970628001.pdf. 9 May 2018. live. 5 September 2018.
  19. Web site: 12 December 1999. SAF captain killed when vehicle he was travelling in hit a tree. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200727191532/https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/record-details/543c4653-1164-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad. 27 July 2020. NAS.
  20. Web site: Onwards and Upwards: Celebrating 40 years of the Republic of Singapore Navy. 25 January 2019. 26 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190126000909/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/oms/navy/careers/static/pdf/media/Onwards_and_Upwards.pdf. live.
  21. Web site: NSF man collapses and dies. 6 June 2022.
  22. Web site: Death of a national serviceman. www.nas.gov.sg. https://web.archive.org/web/20180509032446/http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/MINDEF_20020516001.pdf. 9 May 2018. live. 5 September 2018.
  23. Web site: Death of a Full-Time National Serviceman. 5 September 2018.
  24. Web site: Cheong. Yvonne. 4 SAF commandos charged over death of NSman. Channel NewsAsia. 12 December 2013. 8 June 2004. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044144/http://www.cscc.org.sg/vanguard/house/appendix/Oct_MINDEF%20Appendix.doc. 4 March 2016. dmy-all.
  25. Web site: Singapore Ministry of Defence. "Update on Deaths of Regular Serviceman and Foreign Serviceman." News release.. 1 June 2021. 2 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214139/https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/MINDEF_20050714001_1.pdf. live.
  26. News: 10 June 2008. Recruit dies after walk. 5 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171029042250/http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20080610-70035.html. 29 October 2017.
  27. News: RSAF pilot trainee collapses, dies during training in Brunei. 12 June 2008. AsiaOne. 5 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181106004732/http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20080612-70514.html. 6 November 2018. live.
  28. Web site: Soldier dies while doing chin ups. www.asiaone.com. 5 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171029011615/http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20081001-90989.html. 29 October 2017.
  29. Web site: 2008Sep30-News-Releases-02493. www.mindef.gov.sg. en. 2018-05-05. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20180505210306/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/news-and-events/latest-releases/article-detail/2008/september/2008Sep30-News-Releases-02493. 5 May 2018.
  30. News: SAF Commando killed during overseas exercise. 22 May 2009. AsiaOne. 29 July 2020. 28 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220528235000/https://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20090521-142817.html. live.
  31. Web site: NSF dies in in-camp accident. Julia. Ng. Wayne. Chan. www.smu.edu.sg. 2019-01-26. 26 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190126113840/https://www.smu.edu.sg/sites/default/files/smu/news_room/smu_in_the_news/2011/sources/CNA_20110128_1.pdf. live.
  32. News: SAF captain charged over rash act causing NSF's death. 1 November 2018. The Straits Times. en. 26 January 2019. 26 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190126164338/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/saf-captain-charged-over-rash-act-causing-nsfs-death. live.
  33. Web site: NSF who died had heart condition . 2022-12-13 . AsiaOne . en . 13 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221213075632/https://www.asiaone.com/health/nsf-who-died-had-heart-condition . live .
  34. News: AsiaOne. Five servicemen who died this year. 15 May 2012. 5 November 2018. 5 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181105181602/http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20120515-346017.html. live.
  35. Web site: SAF suspends training with smoke grenades. asiaone.com. 20 September 2012. 5 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171029091027/http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20120920-372708.html. 29 October 2017.
  36. News: SAF suspends all field training after latest NSF death. Choo, Deborah. sg.news.yahoo.com. 11 May 2012. 5 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170916183749/https://sg.news.yahoo.com/nsf-soldier-critically-injured-after-jeep-accident.html. 16 September 2017.
  37. News: Body of missing NSF in Brunei found. sg.news.yahoo.com. 12 August 2012. 5 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170916225706/https://sg.news.yahoo.com/nsf-reported-missing-during-training-exercise-in-brunei-.html. 16 September 2017.
  38. Web site: NSman dies in freak incident during in-camp training. AsiaOne. September 27, 2012. 2019-01-23. 29 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180729111740/http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20120927-374151.html. live.
  39. News: NSF death: Armoured vehicle lands on side while getting out of difficult terrain, says MINDEF. Channel NewsAsia. 16 September 2017. 5 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171127112044/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/nsf-death-armoured-vehicle-lands-on-side-while-getting-out-of-9223014. 27 November 2017.
  40. News: Singapore Army officer dies in armoured vehicle crash on Queensland coast. ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 16 September 2017. 5 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180214164501/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-16/singapore-army-officer-dies-on-queensland-coast/8953582. 14 February 2018.
  41. Death of a Singapore Armed Forces Full-time National Serviceman. www.mindef.gov.sg. 30 April 2018. 5 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180501004554/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/news-and-events/latest-releases/article-detail/2018/april/30apr18_news. 1 May 2018.
  42. News: Full-time national serviceman dies after accident with Bionix during training. 3 November 2018. Channel NewsAsia.
  43. News: Actor Aloysius Pang succumbs to injuries sustained during military reservist training in New Zealand. 24 January 2019. Yahoo! Singapore. 24 January 2019. 24 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190124152349/https://sg.news.yahoo.com/actor-aloysius-pang-succumbs-injuries-163249108.html. live.