Actor Aloysius Pang dies from SAF training injuries

The whole nation was praying and hoping for the recovery of Singaporean actor Aloysius Pang, after he sustained severe injuries during a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) training session in New Zealand. However, on the night of 23 January, news headlines announced “Aloysius Pang death”, making us all weep instead. 

Alyosius Pang death: Inquiry to be launched

The sad news of Aloysius Pang’s death was confirmed by a Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) statement on Wednesday (23 January) night. 

The statement also said that an independent Committee of Inquiry will be launched to investigate the incident, and event leading up to the young man’s death. 

Aloysius Pang, 28, died at 8.45pm at Waikato Hospital in Hamilton, New Zealand, where he was receiving treatment. 

His final Instagram post was hopeful and positive.

How did he get so severely injured?  

According to reports, on January 19, Pang was conducting repairs inside a Singapore Self-Propelled Howitzer at the Waiouru Training Area. This is an artillery gun mounted on an armoured chassis. 

“Unfortunately, CFC Pang sustained injuries when the gun barrel was lowered,” said MINDEF. 

Pang was then brought to Waikato Hospital where he went through many surgeries for his injuries. According to Channel NewsAsia, Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s chief of trauma and acute care surgery, Dr Teo Li Tserng, helped the New Zealand medical team treating Pang. 

However, “Despite surgical attempts to repair damaged organs putting him on artificial life support, CFC (NS) Pang succumbed to the injuries and passed away,” said MINDEF. 

Earlier, Pang’s family flew up to New Zealand to be with him. His mother arrived there first, on Monday. Pang’s body will be brought back to Singapore, said the Ministry. 

The young actor leaves behind his parents, and two older brothers. 

Heartbreaking post from family before Aloysius Pang death confirmed

Just before news of Pang’s death, a heart-wrenching note from his family was posted on his official Instagram account: 

View this post on Instagram

On behalf of our family Throughout the past few days in the hospital, it has been a difficult time for us. Every news that were brought upon us since his last op was devastating with little signs of hope on his recovery. We all broke down when the medical team spoke to us that his condition is worsening and we should be prepared for the worst. We're going to lose a brother. And my parents are going to lose their precious son whom is only 28. Thus I seek everybody's kind understanding that we are unable to comment further during these precarious time.

A post shared by 冯伟衷 Aloysius Pang (@aloypang) on Jan 23, 2019 at 7:35am PST

Now, the messages of condolence and support are flooding in. 

Pang was a much-loved home-grown actor, who started acting when he was nine years old. He won several awards at the annual Mediacorp Star Awards, including Best Newcomer in 2015.

Here at theAsianparent, we feel the pain and sorrow of this young man’s family, and offer them our deepest and most sincere condolences.

May he rest in peace. 

Source: Channel NewsAsia