A Singaporean soldier has died after being injured in a ‘vehicular incident’ during a military training exercise.
Vehicle Commander 3rd Sergeant Chan Hiang Cheng Gavin was taking part in Exercise Wallaby at Shoalwater Bay Training Area near Rockhampton, Queensland.
Sergeant Chan, of the 41st Battalion Singapore Armoured Regiment, was in a Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicle when the incident occurred.
A Singaporean soldier has died after being injured in a ‘vehicular incident’ during a military training exercise (pictured is the type of Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicle involved)
Vehicle Commander 3rd Sergeant Chan Hiang Cheng Gavin was taking part in Exercise Wallaby at Shoalwater Bay Training Area near Rockhampton, Queensland (pictured is a stock image of training activities in the area)
The injured Singapore Armed Forces Full-time National Serviceman was flown to Rockhampton Hospital but passed away just after midnight on Saturday.
‘A safety pause on training in Shoalwater Bay Training Area has taken effect, and an investigation of the incident is ongoing,’ said the Singapore Ministry of Defence.
‘The Ministry of Defence and the SAF extend their deepest condolences to the family of the late serviceman and are assisting the family in this time of grief.’
Sergeant Chan’s family were flown to Australia and arrived early on Saturday morning, The Courier Mail reported.
‘The Ministry of Defence and the SAF extend their deepest condolences to the family of the late serviceman and are assisting the family in this time of grief,’ said a statement (pictured)
A Facebook post (pictured) put up by the Ministry collected hundreds of comments mourning Sergeant Chan’s death
The incident did not involved members of the Australian Defence Force or ADF vehicles and no other Singaporean military personnel are believed to have been harmed in the incident, ABC News reported.
Defence Minister Marise Payne sent condolences to the officer’s family and colleagues on behalf of the Australian Government.
Mayor of Rockhampton Margaret Strelow said Sergeant Chan’s death was a ‘painful reminder of the sacrifice that not only our own brave men and women in uniform face daily, but those of our allies and close friends’.
A Facebook post put up by the Ministry collected hundreds of comments mourning Sergeant Chan’s death.
‘I cried upon reading this news online. I was shocked and [in] panic, my son [was] in this exercise too. I missed my son even more. Very sad for this young man and his family too. RIP and my deepest condolences to his family,’ wrote one man.
In May 21-year-old Light Horse Trooper Stuart Reddan (pictured) was killed by a falling branch during a training exercise at Shoalwater Bay
‘Rest in peace Gavin. I remembered you were such a diligent young man and never fail to be the first to arrive for every of my lessons. You have a pure and kind heart and ever so willing to help others,’ wrote another.
Sergeant Chan is the sixth soldier to die in military training exercises in the same part Australia this year.
In July three US Marines died in an Osprey helicopter crash off the Rockhampton coast.
In May 21-year-old Light Horse Trooper Stuart Reddan was killed by a falling branch during a training exercise at Shoalwater Bay.
Just six days later Private Jason Challis died after being shot in the head during live fire exercises at the Mount Bundey Training Area, about 100km southeast of Darwin.
Private Jason Challis (pictured) died after being shot in the head during live fire exercises at the Mount Bundey Training Area, about 100km southeast of Darwin in May