19-year-old NSF dies after showing signs of 'heat injury' following fast march

A 19-year-old Singapore Armed Forced (SAF) full-time National Serviceman died in hospital on Monday (30 April) after displaying “signs of heat injury” following an 8km fast march 12 days before.

Private (PTE) Lee Han Xuan Dave, a Guardsman from the 1st Battalion Singapore Guards, was found to display signs of heat injury at about 8.35am on 18 April after completing an 8km fast march in Bedok Camp, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence (Mindef).

An SAF medic attended to PTE Lee immediately to bring down his core temperature.

PTE Lee was then evacuated to the camp’s Medical Centre where the SAF medical team continued body cooling measures and treatment on him.

At 9.50am on the same day, PTE Lee was brought to Changi General Hospital, where he remained warded in the Intensive Care Unit since 18 April.

“Unfortunately, PTE Lee’s condition did not improve in the ICU and worsened during the hospitalisation,” said Mindef. He was pronounced dead at 5.32pm on Monday at the hospital.

“The Ministry of Defence and the SAF extend their deepest condolences to the family of the late serviceman and are assisting the family in this time of grief,” the statement added.

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