Fatal fall in mall: Death of teen a ‘tragic misadventure’
A damaged parapet is seen in Orchard Central, where a teen fell from the fourth floor, on Feb 24, 2017. Photo courtesy of Alvin Yow
SINGAPORE — Teenager Jonathan Chow and a friend were on the bus to meet their friends in Bedok, when he alighted halfway at Orchard as he needed to use the washroom urgently.
The 17-year-old, who was with a friend, then decided to head to Orchard Central mall — a decision that would later result in tragedy.
The details of the teenager’s final hours were revealed by State Coroner Marvin Bay yesterday, as he ruled Jonathan’s death on Feb 24 this year a “tragic misadventure”, following an inquiry.
After making their detour on that fateful day, Jonathan and his 16-year-old friend Ruth went to the fourth storey of the link bridge between Orchard Central and Orchard Gateway malls.
Ruth had told the police that the two of them started to discuss jumping over the railing onto a nearby ledge, which was perpendicular to the link bridge, to reach a lower ledge.
At first, Ruth thought of jumping, but later backed out because she was scared. Jonathan then decided to jump alone, and asked Ruth to take a Snapchat video of him performing the stunt.
However, Jonathan, who was 1.74m tall and weighed 79kg, fell through the ledge, plunging 18m to his death.
Mr Bay said: “Mr Chow’s sad demise should also serve as a sad cautionary tale for individuals who are disposed to go off-route in public spaces, of the dire consequences of failing to ensure that the ledges or surfaces they intend to use are structurally sound and able to withstand the rigours of any … type of activities or acrobatic stunts that they are minded to attempt.”
He noted that Ruth had initially told the police that Jonathan had dropped his mobile phone onto the ledge bordering the walkway parapet, and had gone over the walkway railing to retrieve his device.
She had also claimed that he had lost his balance and fell.
However, Ruth later clarified that she had lied, as she had “fear of punitive consequences” of their actions.
She added that this was not the first time Jonathan had jumped from a parapet. Both had previously jumped from the second storey to the ground level of buildings on two occasions.
Jonathan’s friends described him as a “keen skateboarder” and a “daring person” as he would perform complex stunts.
Mr Bay, who ruled out foul play, said Jonathan’s cause of death was due to “multiple injuries (which were) consistent with a fall from the height”.
He also noted that following the teen’s death, his parents had pointed out that there were no warning signs near the railings, where the ledge was located at the mall, to alert the public.
“The absence of specific warnings would have presented a risk for unsuspecting persons to use the ledge without prior notice of it not being a load-bearing surface to their detriment,” said Mr Bay.
“In this regard, it is heartening to learn that of measures taken by the proprietors of the linkway (link bridge) to place a piece of hoarding at the railing adjoining the ledge, to deter persons from crossing over. This is certainly a step in the right direction”.
Jonathan’s family members were not present in court when the findings were delivered.
In response to TODAY’s queries, Miss Mavis Seow, chief operating officer, Retail Business Group, Far East Organisation, said: “We shall study the coroner’s findings carefully with our consultants. If there is a need for further measures, we will do so expeditiously.”
