Marina Bay fire: Open verdict recorded for bumboat pilot's death

An open verdict was recorded on Monday (27 February) by State Coroner Marvin Bay in the case of the Marina Bay river taxi fire which left 33-year-old Ong Hock Long dead.

Ong, the vessel’s pilot, was found dead in the waters of the Singapore River at about 11.10pm on 13 July last year. His vessel had caught fire at about 6.20pm the day before in the waters near the Esplanade.

During a hearing last Friday, it was revealed that Ong had traces of narcotics – amphetamines and metamphetamines – in his system. Investigation officer Inspector Lam Jia Yen had told the court that Ong’s consumption of the drugs was “approximate to the time of death” and likely “played a role in the death of the deceased”.

In his findings on Monday, Bay said Ong – who was also in debt and said to be upset over a failed relationship – may have developed severe depression, which was either situational or drug induced, leading him to deliberately intend to take his own life.

“Alternatively, he may also have suffered paranoia leading him to recklessly undertake activities, including setting a fire and jumping off the boat, that endangered his life, separate from any real suicidal intent.

“The former would point to a deliberate act of suicide, while the latter would, strictly speaking, be closer in nature to a misadventure,” said Bay.

No foul play found

Bay, in his findings, dismissed any basis of foul play and accepted that Ong had no mental disorder.

He added that the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s investigation found that the fire was incendiary in nature and, hence, must have been deliberately set by Ong, who was the vessel’s only occupant.

Ong had jumped off his Singapore River Cruise (SRC) vessel after it caught fire. His body was extracted by SCDF officers after it was found floating in the river.

Witnesses at the earlier inquiry had said that Ong was behaving strangely on the day of the incident.

SRC ticketing officer Dewi Sutra was with Ong on the day of the incident and testified as to his erratic behaviour. She said Ong looked agitated and had asked her to get off the boat and leave him alone.

Previous drugs conviction

It was also heard in court that Ong had been admitted to a Drug Rehabilitation Centre in 2010 and 2011.

Ong also had outstanding debts amounting to S$30,419.66. Previous media reports said that Ong needed help from his family to pay off what he owed from a failed duck rice stall venture in 2011, and was also upset over a failed relationship.

Additional reporting by Nicholas Yong