RSAF sent plane to New Zealand to repatriate Aloysius Pang’s body: Ng Eng Hen
The Republic of Singapore Air Force has sent a KC-135 tanker aircraft to New Zealand to repatriate the body of operationally ready national serviceman Aloysius Pang, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on Thursday (24 January).
The 28-year-old actor died on Wednesday (Singapore time) after he sustained serious injuries during an exercise with his artillery unit in New Zealand. He was carrying out repair works on a Singapore Self-Propelled Howitzer (SSPH) when a gun barrel was lowered and he suffered crush injuries, according to initial findings by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
In a post on his Facebook page, Dr Ng said the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) and the SAF “mourn the loss of one of our sons – CFC (NS) Aloysius Pang”.
“We extend our deepest condolences to CFC (NS) Aloysius Pang’s family for their tragic loss, and pray that they will find strength in this most difficult period. The SAF is fully assisting the family…
“Our grief counsellors are on the ground to comfort the family. But I know that no words or deeds can relieve their sorrow or replace their loss. I hope and pray that the passage of time will bring them some comfort.”
Dr Ng also mentioned that Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Melyvn Ong and Chief of Army Major-General Goh Si Hou met the media to explain what was known of the incident, and the steps that SAF will take to ensure the safety of NSmen in training.
He said that training and exercise tempo will be reduced for every unit to review their safety processes. “We can only train when it is safe,” he added.
The minister also said that if any SAF soldier were to know of an unsafe practice, he should inform his commander or stop training and that there is no need to fear any disciplinary action for doing so.
Related stories
Aloysius Pang death: SAF calls for army-wide safety timeout, reduction in training tempo
Aloysius Pang suffered ‘major trauma’, complications were ‘expected’: Top army doctor
Aloysius Pang ‘unable to get out of the way’ of gun barrel, suffered crush injuries: SAF
Actor Aloysius Pang was 4th SAF-training related fatality over 16 months
Actor Aloysius Pang dies after army training incident in New Zealand
Aloysius Pang on artificial life support, condition ‘very serious’: Ng Eng Hen
Actor Aloysius Pang’s condition worsens after training incident; now critical
