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Man's drowning in Punggol during police anti-vice operation ruled a misadventure
Mr Lim Pan Hee, 25, drowned while trying to escape a police anti-vice operation in November last year near Punggol Waterway Park. His death was ruled an unfortunate misadventure on Friday (Nov 4). PHOTO: ST GRAPHIC
Amir Hussain
Updated Nov 04, 2016, 07:54 PM
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SINGAPORE - During a police anti-vice operation in November last year at a forested area near Punggol Waterway Park, a 25-year-old man drowned while trying to escape.
On Friday (Nov 4), State Coroner Marvin Bay found Mr Lim Pan Hee's death to be an unfortunate misadventure.
The coroner's court heard that police Gurkha Contingent started the anti-vice operation at about 10pm on Nov 24 last year and formed a perimeter around a target area.
While they were moving in to arrest some suspects, a Gurkha officer heard a splashing sound, and then saw Mr Lim about 5m from the shore and swimming away from him.
The policeman alerted his team, and then shone his torch light at Mr Lim and ordered him to return to shore.
Mr Lim turned around and headed towards the officer, but then was seen treading water before totally disappearing underwater.
The officer removed his tactical gear and dived into the water to try to save Mr Lim, but to no avail. The water was too dark and deep.