Singapore actor dies in New Zealand military training

Aloysius Pang. IMAGE FROM @ALOYPANG INSTAGRAM

SINGAPORE, Singapore – A popular Singapore actor died on Wednesday after an accident during military training in New Zealand, the defense ministry said, pledging to investigate his death.

Aloysius Pang, who starred in Chinese language TV shows and movies, was completing compulsory reservist training when he suffered serious injuries while repairing artillery.

After the accident on Saturday near Waiouru on New Zealand’s North Island, the 28-year-old was transferred to hospital and underwent surgery.

“Despite surgical attempts to repair damaged organs and putting him on artificial life support… Pang succumbed to the injuries and passed away,” Singapore’s defense ministry said in a statement late Wednesday.

Male Singapore citizens are required to undergo two years of national service upon turning 18 and are also called up for further training in the following years.

His family said “it has been a difficult time for us,” in a post on the actor’s Instagram account before his death was announced.

“We all broke down when the medical team spoke to us that his condition is worsening and we should be prepared for the worst,” it said.

The defense ministry said an inquiry would be set up to investigate his death.

Pang first rose to fame in the city-state as a child actor. In recent years, he starred in locally produced films and Chinese language TV shows.

He is the latest person to die during training with the Singapore military.

In April last year, a man on national service died after suffering heat stroke following an eight-kilometer (five-mile) march, local media reported.

In November, another person on national service died after an accident involving an armored military vehicle. /cbb