<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>May 21, 2009
DEATH OF SAF SERVICEMAN
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Killed in parachute jump <!--10 min-->
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FILE PIC: Commandos in Singapore all geared up and ready for a parachute jump boarding a RSAF C-130 transport aircraft on June 27, 2005. -- PHOTO: SPH
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A REGULAR SAF serviceman was killed during a parachute training session in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
First Warrant Officer (1WO) Tan Poh Eng, 53, was participating in a free-fall jump on May 20, Mindef revealed in a statement.
The parachute jump instructor was part of a six-man team that jumped off a Republic of Singapore Air Force C-130 aircraft at a height of 12,500 feet to conduct a formation jump.
But when the formation broke off at 3,500 feet to deploy their parachutes, 1WO Tan spiralled downwards to the ground.
He was found unconscious at about 4.45pm (Singapore time).
Immediate medical attention was given by a SAF doctor and medic on-site.
He was then heli-evacuated at 5.15pm and arrived at about 5.35pm at the Pelonomi Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 5.57pm.
The SAF conducts freefall training is South Africa once every two years. 1WO Tan was part of a 51-member Commando team participating in SAF freefall which runs from Apr 27 to May 24.
Mindef and the SAF extend their deepest condolences to the family of the late 1WO Tan and will assist the family in their time of grief. The incident is under investigation, all SAF freefall training has been temporarily suspended.
DEATH OF SAF SERVICEMAN
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Killed in parachute jump <!--10 min-->
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --><TR vAlign=bottom><TD width=330>
</TD><TD width=10>
FILE PIC: Commandos in Singapore all geared up and ready for a parachute jump boarding a RSAF C-130 transport aircraft on June 27, 2005. -- PHOTO: SPH
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"-->
A REGULAR SAF serviceman was killed during a parachute training session in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
First Warrant Officer (1WO) Tan Poh Eng, 53, was participating in a free-fall jump on May 20, Mindef revealed in a statement.
The parachute jump instructor was part of a six-man team that jumped off a Republic of Singapore Air Force C-130 aircraft at a height of 12,500 feet to conduct a formation jump.
But when the formation broke off at 3,500 feet to deploy their parachutes, 1WO Tan spiralled downwards to the ground.
He was found unconscious at about 4.45pm (Singapore time).
Immediate medical attention was given by a SAF doctor and medic on-site.
He was then heli-evacuated at 5.15pm and arrived at about 5.35pm at the Pelonomi Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 5.57pm.
The SAF conducts freefall training is South Africa once every two years. 1WO Tan was part of a 51-member Commando team participating in SAF freefall which runs from Apr 27 to May 24.
Mindef and the SAF extend their deepest condolences to the family of the late 1WO Tan and will assist the family in their time of grief. The incident is under investigation, all SAF freefall training has been temporarily suspended.
