SAF Colonel dies during Singapore Biathlon
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Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 26 March 2006 2019 hrs
SAF colonel dies during biathlon at East Coast Park
By Dominique Loh, Channel NewsAsia
SINGAPORE : A colonel from the Singapore Armed Forces died while participating in the Singapore Biathlon at East Coast Park on Sunday.
Colonel Bernard Tan Cheow Han, 39, collapsed and died after nearly completing the 10-kilometre run.
He was just 600 metres away from the finishing line.
The colonel had earlier finished a 1.5-kilometre swim before the run.
SAFRA which is also the organiser of the event says immediate medical attention was given to Colonel Tan at about 10am.
He was sent to Changi General Hospital and was pronounced dead at about 11am.
The cause of death is still being investigated by the police.
More than 1,700 people took part in the biathlon which included the chiefs of army and navy.
Colonel Tan was the Assistant Chief of the General Staff in charge of army personnel matters.
He was married with two young daughters aged two and seven. - CNA/de
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/199996/1/.html -
RIP.
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This is very bad. -
Not many people might know. It raises the prospect of a full review and overhaul of the medical system in the SAF.Originally posted by FireIce: -
Isnt Colonel Bernard the guy who is in charge of Public Relations of Saf as well...??
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My condolences.
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No, that's COL Benedict Lim, Director Public Affairs.Originally posted by mhcampboy:Isnt Colonel Bernard the guy who is in charge of Public Relations of Saf as well...?? -
oh sorry. got mix up with the names. benedict, bernard...sounds kind alike. sorry. My condolences.Originally posted by LazerLordz:No, that's COL Benedict Lim, Director Public Affairs. -
i almost wanted to ask the same question... so hes not the guy who writes response letters to the newspapers rite?Originally posted by LazerLordz:No, that's COL Benedict Lim, Director Public Affairs. -
No.Originally posted by wuming78:i almost wanted to ask the same question... so hes not the guy who writes response letters to the newspapers rite?
My gut feeling is that this is the straw that breaks the camel's back, and there might be a very intensive and thorough review of the Medical Corps' procedures and tasklists.
It might not be linked to the Biathlon but then.. -
Hmm...so many personnel died...this is really strange
Did he clear FFI for that event? Since he's above 35
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this is indeed shocking, and there will certainly be fallout, but it may not be focused on the medical corps. afterall, the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the incident is important too...Originally posted by LazerLordz:No.
My gut feeling is that this is the straw that breaks the camel's back, and there might be a very intensive and thorough review of the Medical Corps' procedures and tasklists.
It might not be linked to the Biathlon but then..
this is really like the climax to the string of similar incidents that have happened man... -
Oh dear...the children still so young....tsk tsk tsk...pity them.
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very very true.Originally posted by wuming78:this is indeed shocking, and there will certainly be fallout, but it may not be focused on the medical corps. afterall, the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the incident is important too...
this is really like the climax to the string of similar incidents that have happened man...
but you can be sure that it will lead to the higher-ups doing something. -
I know personnel at or above the age of 35 must clear FFI first in order to take IPPT
So are the reservists that are at or above 35 at risk for other strenuous activities other than IPPT?
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My condolences.
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I don't want to sound bad....
but this death involves a COL in ACGS, i think SAF is taking this seriously and they might just look into their training and medical procedures more thoroughly.
Unlike the past deaths are not officers, so they just issue public statements claiming they are serious about looking into it but in actual fact no.
This time is real wakening call for them i think.
39 years old.. sad... 1 more year a eligible more retirement... sigh.
Can somebody tell me if this is the same COL Bernard Tan as the former Chief Armour Officer? -
frankly such kind of deaths are unusual a decade ago. but it seems to be getting common nowadays.
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i suspect cover ups.Originally posted by dragg:frankly such kind of deaths are unusual a decade ago. but it seems to be getting common nowadays.
anyway hope pple do make noise if they finally do the proper reviews -
no, that's BG Bernard Tan Kok Kiang.Originally posted by Ponders:Can somebody tell me if this is the same COL Bernard Tan as the former Chief Armour Officer? -
there're always deaths in saf..alot of cover up only..
only nowadays the press seems to get more news.. -
I also hope this time, SAF will definitely look into the entire system as a whole.
Hope they dun just check on the medical personnel involved in sending him to hospital and then later screwed them for neglience or something....
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My condolences.Originally posted by LazerLordz:No.
My gut feeling is that this is the straw that breaks the camel's back, and there might be a very intensive and thorough review of the Medical Corps' procedures and tasklists.
It might not be linked to the Biathlon but then..
As to the possible reasons behind the spate of numerous sudden deaths, i do not think its linked to the Biathlon.
More likely, the bird-flu virus (mild-type) version which got activated during anaerobic exercises? or the diet that singaporeans are eating? or perhaps even the water sources or the air.....hmm....
He couldnt have died due to irregular heartbeat or wat since medical checkups or reviews (annually) should have revealed this way before... -
He was a Colonel...so he would have had regular medical checkups including ECG etc...
But 50% of those who die from heart attacks die from their first attack. ECG at rest will not pick up all cases of coronary artery disease. He could also have had a viral infection...medical checkups would not be able to pick all such conditions...