A Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) regular
serviceman, First Warrant Officer (1WO) Tan Poh Eng, was
participating in an SAF freefall training session in Bloemfontein,
South Africa, on 20 May 2009. 1WO Tan 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. The formation
broke off at 3500 feet to deploy their parachutes. 1WO Tan
spiralled downwards to the ground and was found unconscious at
about 4.45pm (Singapore time).
1WO Tan was given immediate medical attention by an SAF doctor and
a medic on-site. He was heli-evacuated at 5.15pm and arrived at
about 5.35pm at the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein. 1WO Tan was
pronounced dead at 5.57pm in the hospital. The 53-year-old First
Warrant Officer was a parachute jump instructor from the Commando
Training Institute.
1WO Tan was part of a 51-member SAF Commando team participating in
SAF freefall training which is being conducted from 27 April to 24
May in Bloemfontein. The SAF conducts freefall training in South
Africa once every two years.
The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the SAF extend their deepest
condolences to the family of the late 1WO Tan. MINDEF will assist
the family in their time of grief and is investigating the
incident. All SAF freefall training has been temporarily
suspended.
http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2009/may/21may09_nr.html