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SINGAPORE: The causes of death of two servicemen who died during training in June this year were revealed in Parliament on Tuesday.
Recruit Andrew Cheah fainted and died during a two-kilometre walk at Pulau Tekong.
An autopsy showed he died of pneumonitis, an acute infection of the lungs which usually causes symptoms such as coughing, phlegm, fever and difficulty in breathing.
But Recruit Cheah had neither a cough nor fever at that time.
Second Lieutenant Clifton Lam Jia Hao collapsed and died during a jungle training exercise in Brunei.
An inquiry found he died from heatstroke.
Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean told the House that Second Lieutenant Lam was given four litres of water and purification tablets.
But the Board established that he may not have hydrated himself adequately during the training exercise.
Mr Teo said neither case could have been detected through medical screening and no safety breach, foul play or negligence were found on the part of personnel.
The Defence Minister said despite the best efforts to reduce risks in training, it is not possible to guarantee no deaths or injuries.
He said: "Nevertheless, I can assure this House that the SAF will continue to do its best to look after our servicemen and servicewomen in terms of medical screening, proper training systems, training safety procedures, and medical coverage during training activities. They are after all our sons and our daughters and every life is precious to us."
Full-time serviceman Private Joe Foo Wei Rong died during training on September 30. A committee of inquiry has been convened and an investigation into his death is underway. - CNA/vm
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