SAF Colonel dies during Singapore Biathlon

last SG · 2006-03-27T00:01:32+00:00

RIP Colonel Bernard Tan. [This thread will be closed].

LazerLordz SG

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 26 March 2006 2019 hrs

SAF colonel dies during biathlon at East Coast Park
By Dominique Loh, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : A colonel from the Singapore Armed Forces died while participating in the Singapore Biathlon at East Coast Park on Sunday.

Colonel Bernard Tan Cheow Han, 39, collapsed and died after nearly completing the 10-kilometre run.

He was just 600 metres away from the finishing line.

The colonel had earlier finished a 1.5-kilometre swim before the run.

SAFRA which is also the organiser of the event says immediate medical attention was given to Colonel Tan at about 10am.

He was sent to Changi General Hospital and was pronounced dead at about 11am.

The cause of death is still being investigated by the police.

More than 1,700 people took part in the biathlon which included the chiefs of army and navy.

Colonel Tan was the Assistant Chief of the General Staff in charge of army personnel matters.

He was married with two young daughters aged two and seven. - CNA/de

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/199996/1/.html

LazerLordz SG

RIP.

FireIce SG

repeat

http://www.sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=183864

Parka SG

This is very bad.

LazerLordz SG

Not many people might know. It raises the prospect of a full review and overhaul of the medical system in the SAF.

mhcampboy SG

Isnt Colonel Bernard the guy who is in charge of Public Relations of Saf as well…??

^spidee^ SG

My condolences. Sad

LazerLordz SG

No, that's COL Benedict Lim, Director Public Affairs.

mhcampboy SG

oh sorry. got mix up with the names. benedict, bernard...sounds kind alike. sorry. My condolences. Sad

wuming78 SG

i almost wanted to ask the same question... so hes not the guy who writes response letters to the newspapers rite?

LazerLordz SG

No.

My gut feeling is that this is the straw that breaks the camel's back, and there might be a very intensive and thorough review of the Medical Corps' procedures and tasklists.

It might not be linked to the Biathlon but then..

maggot SG

Hmm...so many personnel died...this is really strange Neutral

Did he clear FFI for that event? Since he's above 35 Confused

wuming78 SG

this is indeed shocking, and there will certainly be fallout, but it may not be focused on the medical corps. afterall, the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the incident is important too...

this is really like the climax to the string of similar incidents that have happened man... Confused

mhcampboy SG

Oh dear…the children still so young….tsk tsk tsk…pity them.

LazerLordz SG

very very true.

but you can be sure that it will lead to the higher-ups doing something.

maggot SG

I know personnel at or above the age of 35 must clear FFI first in order to take IPPT Rolling Eyes

So are the reservists that are at or above 35 at risk for other strenuous activities other than IPPT? Shocked

Gordonator SG

My condolences.

Ponders SG

I don't want to sound bad....

but this death involves a COL in ACGS, i think SAF is taking this seriously and they might just look into their training and medical procedures more thoroughly.

Unlike the past deaths are not officers, so they just issue public statements claiming they are serious about looking into it but in actual fact no.

This time is real wakening call for them i think.

39 years old.. sad... 1 more year a eligible more retirement... sigh.

Can somebody tell me if this is the same COL Bernard Tan as the former Chief Armour Officer?

dragg SG

frankly such kind of deaths are unusual a decade ago. but it seems to be getting common nowadays.

hisoka SG

i suspect cover ups.

anyway hope pple do make noise if they finally do the proper reviews