Archive for May, 2007
Body Of Trainee Teacher Killed In Mt Ophir Brought Home
SINGAPORE: The body of the NIE trainee teacher who died at Mount Ophir in Johor on Tuesday was brought home early Wednesday morning.
Mohd Rohaizam Tumadi was later buried at the Muslim Cemetery in Choa Chu Kang where family and friends gathered.
Mohd Rohaizam was asleep in his tent when he was hit by a falling tree while camping with a group of trainee teachers.
He suffered head injuries, and was pronounced dead at Johor’s Tangkak Hospital.
The eldest of three siblings, he was taking a post-graduate diploma in physical education.
He would have turned 27 on 11 June, and was planning a family celebration in conjunction with Father’s Day.
“My late brother was a responsible son, especially to my parents. My parents are in and out of hospital, and usually handled by him. He set an example for his two siblings. He’s a graduate, he’s the hope for the family. So my family is distraught by this accident,” said Mohd Rohaizam’s sister, Rozana Tumadi. - CNA/yy
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Fallen Raintree In Bukit Batok Kills One And Injures Two
SINGAPORE: One woman was killed and two of her friends injured, when a raintree in the Bukit Batok Nature Reserve collapsed on them Tuesday morning.
17-year-old Polytechnic student Quek Choon Kiat knew this route well - it was one that his mother, 43-year-old Ho Siew Lan, used to take for her morning walk.
But Madam Ho’s Tuesday jog turned out to be her last.
A tree fell on her, killing her on the spot.
Her family only found out something was amiss some three hours later, when they got a call from the dental clinic where Madam Ho worked as an assistant.
“The dentist called us at home to ask why she was so late and didn’t turn up to open the clinic. So I quickly asked my son to come down and look for her,” said Choon Kiat’s father.
Choon Kiat never imagined he would stumble onto the grim task of identifying his mother’s body.
“I saw the police and reporters there. I went to approach the police and they showed me my mum. And I recognised my mum,” said Choon Kiat.
The area’s MP, Halimah Yacob, is out of the country but her fellow MP came to offer help to the family, who were still in shock.
“Now the most important thing is to help the deceased’s family to overcome the crisis. My grassroots members have also donated $2,000 to help the family tide this difficult time,” said Ang Mong Seng, MP, Hong Kah GRC.
“My mum put in a lot of time and love to care for the family and for us. She worked hard all her life for us. She didn’t get to enjoy life at all and now she’s gone,” said Choon Kiat.
Choon Kiat has an elder brother who is in national service.
The family celebrated Mother’s Day on Sunday with a simple meal and a stroll around their neighbourhood. - CNA/yy
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Taiwan Jet Crash: Pte Fan’s Body Flown Back To S’pore
SINGAPORE: The body of Private Fan Yao Jin - the second SAF serviceman killed in Friday’s Taiwan military jet crash incident - was brought back to Singapore on Sunday.
Mindef says Pte Fan’s cremation will be held at Bright Hill Crematorium on Tuesday and he will be accorded a full military funeral.
A wake is being held at Pte Fan’s home at Toa Payoh East.
Family and friends gathered at the wake remember Pte Fan as a filial son, someone who could never say ‘no’ to others who sought his help.
Before he left for Taiwan, the late serviceman had wanted to treat his family to a Japanese meal.
Now, this promise will remain unfulfilled.
His father, Fan Joo Tian, said: “He was supposed to come back today. Now, you can say that he’s returned home, but I won’t get to eat his sushi. That is my regret. Another regret is that I never got to send him off.”
The trip to Taiwan was Pte Fan’s first time on a plane.
“He came to our house and talked to my mother, (saying) that he’s so happy to have a chance to go overseas…..and also planned to call his mother on Mother’s Day,” said Frankie Tong, a cousin of Pte Fan.
The cousin said the 24-year-old used to be mischievous in his youth, but joining the army changed Pte Fan, who celebrated his birthday a day before the Taiwan accident.
A Taiwan Air Force F5F aircraft had crashed into a storeroom located within a Taiwanese military facility, resulting in a fire at the storeroom.
Pte Fan was one of some Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel, including Full-Time National Servicemen (NSF), who were present in the storeroom at that time. The servicemen were there in support of the SAF’s unilateral training in Taiwan.
Another SAF serviceman killed in the incident was 3rd Sergeant Isz Sazli Sapari who was also accorded a full military funeral on Saturday.
Mindef and the SAF say they will continue to give assistance and support to the families of the dead servicemen.
Two other Singaporean soldiers suffered extensive burns. They are 19-year-old Lance Corporal Calvin Chow and 23-year-old 3rd Sergeant Ramakrishnan Karthigayan.
Both soldiers were airlifted to Singapore on Saturday and had undergone several surgeries at the Burns Unit of the Singapore General Hospital.
The hospital says Lance Corporal Chow is still in critical condition with 50 per cent burns as well as respiratory burns.
3rd Sergeant Karthigayan’s condition is said to be serious but stable.
Families of the injured are keeping vigil at the hospital, but declined to be interviewed. - CNA/ir
Channel News Asia