The police released a statement to The Straits Times yesterday (Feb 5) with more details on the fatal accident that occurred at Safra Yishun on Wednesday (Feb 3).
A spokesperson said the 15-year-old boy from Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) lost his footing during a high-element activity and was "suspended by the safety harness" in mid-air. As he was being lowered to the ground, the teen — who has not been named — lost consciousness, and was unresponsive when the police arrived.
Paramedics from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) attempted to resuscitate him on-site and also applied an automated external defibrillator (AED) before sending him to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.
It was reported yesterday that the boy had taken part in a high-element school activity at Safra Yishun organised by outdoor adventure learning company Camelot. The accident occurred on Wednesday afternoon and he died the next morning.
Lianhe Zaobao also reported that an employee — who wished to remain anonymous — said they heard people shouting that afternoon and the atmosphere was very tense. While such school activities would usually cease only at the end of the day, the activity that day was halted at around 3 pm. However, they did not witness the accident.
Police investigations are ongoing. In a statement released yesterday, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said it has suspended outdoor activities involving heights until investigations are completed.
A spokesman for Safra Yishun also told The Straits Times that all activities at its adventure sports centre have been temporarily suspended.
This unfortunate fatal accident has once again highlighted the importance of implementing strict safety rules. Especially when it comes to open area obstacle courses for kids in Singapore.
5 Outdoor Play Safety Tips Parents Must Teach Kids
Yes, playgrounds and obstacle courses are a great way for kids to have exciting fun and keep them active. But while they are meant as thrilling entertainment for kids, it's still always best to ensure your child's safety first. This is especially true, if there are a few tricky parts in the obstacle course.
To prevent any serious injuries during outdoor play, here are a few safety tips on outdoor playgrounds and obstacle courses for kids parents as well as their kids should keep in mind:
1. Adult supervision should be present at all costs. While your child get busy on the playground or obstacle course, there should always be a pair of trusted eyes on them. Whether it's a parent or a teacher, adult supervision is crucial on open area obstacle courses for kids.
2. Teach your child how to safely behave within playgrounds and obstacle courses. Make sure your child knows they shouldn't push or roughhouse with their peers while playing so as to avoid hurting anyone else.
3. Best not to wear clothes with dangling drawstrings or cords. These could easily get caught on any equipment and could cause serious accidents such as your child getting strangled or tripping over.
4. Make sure the playground set or obstacle course is secure and in a suitable condition. A single loose knot or misstep could cause a big accident so always double-check the area and see if every equipment is in perfect condition as well as stable enough not to break.
5. Always be prepared to tend to any injuries. Accidents can happen in sudden and unexpected times so to prevent any situation from getting worse make sure an adult is ready with a first-aid kit. Or request a medical assistant to help out, and be around one of the obstacle courses for kids.
This article was first published in AsiaOne and republished on theAsianparent with permission. | With inputs on tips for parents from theAsianparent.
Lead image source from Instagram / camelotsg.
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