Actor Aloysius Pang seriously hurt during SAF training exercise in New Zealand
Singaporean actor Aloysius Pang was seriously injured on Saturday (19 January) during a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) training exercise in New Zealand.
The 28-year-old had been participating in the Exercise Thunder Warrior at the Waiouru Training Area as an Operationally Ready National Serviceman when the incident took place at around 2.05pm (Singapore time).
Pang, who holds the rank of Corporal First Class and serves as an armament technician in the 268th Battalion Singapore Artillery, was hurt while carrying out repair works on a Singapore Self-Propelled Howitzer, said a Ministry of Defence (Mindef) statement issued on Sunday.
He was transferred to the Battalion Casualty Station at 2.25pm where he was assessed and stabilised before being evacuated to Waiouru Camp Medical Centre at 2.50pm. At 4.50pm, Pang was transported by helicopter to Waikato Hospital in the city of Hamilton.
“CFC (NS) Pang was conscious throughout the evacuation and arrived at the hospital at (6pm, Singapore time) where he underwent surgery, which was completed at (11.40pm),” said Mindef.
“He is now being monitored in the high dependency unit.”
The ministry added that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident.
Actor’s mother travelling to New Zealand
Separately, Pang’s artist management agency – NoonTalk Media – confirmed the incident on its Facebook page. It added that the actor’s mother is travelling to New Zealand and that it is in close communication with Mindef.
“We will provide updates on Aloysius’ condition when we have more information,” it said.
Last year, two full-time national servicemen died following training incidents.
In November, 22-year-old Private Liu Kai was killed after a Bionix armoured fighting vehicle reversed into the Land Rover he was operating during an exercise at the Jalan Murai training area.
Earlier, on 30 April, Corporal First Class Dave Lee died two weeks after being admitted to Changi General Hospital for heatstroke. The 19-year-old had completed an 8km fast march in Bedok Camp on 18 April and later showed signs of heat injury, which led him to be hospitalised.
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