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Channel NewsAsia - Thursday, May 21SINGAPORE:
A Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) regular serviceman died during a free—fall parachute training session in Bloemfontein, South Africa, on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said First Warrant Officer (1WO) Tan Poh Eng was part of a six—man team that jumped off a Republic of Singapore Air Force C—130 aircraft at a height of 12500 feet to conduct a formation jump.
When the formation broke off at 3500 feet to deploy their parachutes, 1WO Tan, 53, spiralled downwards to the ground.
He was found unconscious at about 4.45pm (Singapore time), and given immediate medical attention by an SAF doctor and a medic on—site.
He was evacuated by helicopter at 5.15pm and arrived at about 5.35pm at the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein.
1WO Tan, a parachute jump instructor from the Commando Training Institute, was pronounced dead at 5.57pm in the hospital.
He was part of a 51—member SAF Commando team participating in SAF freefall training which is being conducted from April 27 to May 24. The SAF conducts freefall training in South Africa once every two years.
Mindef and the SAF extend their deepest condolences to the family of the late 1WO Tan and is investigating the incident. All SAF freefall training has been temporarily suspended.
— CNA/yt
A Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) regular serviceman died during a free—fall parachute training session in Bloemfontein, South Africa, on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said First Warrant Officer (1WO) Tan Poh Eng was part of a six—man team that jumped off a Republic of Singapore Air Force C—130 aircraft at a height of 12500 feet to conduct a formation jump.
When the formation broke off at 3500 feet to deploy their parachutes, 1WO Tan, 53, spiralled downwards to the ground.
He was found unconscious at about 4.45pm (Singapore time), and given immediate medical attention by an SAF doctor and a medic on—site.
He was evacuated by helicopter at 5.15pm and arrived at about 5.35pm at the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein.
1WO Tan, a parachute jump instructor from the Commando Training Institute, was pronounced dead at 5.57pm in the hospital.
He was part of a 51—member SAF Commando team participating in SAF freefall training which is being conducted from April 27 to May 24. The SAF conducts freefall training in South Africa once every two years.
Mindef and the SAF extend their deepest condolences to the family of the late 1WO Tan and is investigating the incident. All SAF freefall training has been temporarily suspended.
— CNA/yt
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