Private Dominique Sarron Lee Rui Feng died in 2012 while serving his National Service.
Just 21 years old, he was killed after suffering an allergic reaction to the smoke from smoke grenades during a training exercise.
Private Lee was taken to Sungei Gedong Medical Centre and subsequently the National University Hospital, but he died the same day.
Private Lee’s family is now suing the Singapore Armed Forces for failing to provide a safe training environment.
They have accused Captain Najib Hanuk Muhamad Jalal, then the platoon commander in the 3rd Battalion Singapore Infantry Regiment to which Pte Lee was attached, and chief safety officer Captain Chia Thye Siong contributing to the death of Pte Lee.
The suit has been filed in the High Court, where claims exceed S$250,000. The damages being sought include S$34,300 for Pte Lee’s tombstone.
6 smoke grenades were thrown during the exercise – 4 more than the standard, safety protocol.
Private Lee was asthmatic, and a coroner’s enquiry after his death found that he was allergic to one of the chemicals in the smoke grenades – Zinc Chloride.
Private Lee’s asthma was diagnosed prior to enlistment and during service.
He wore a blue wrist band to indicate his condition.
The coroner’s enquiry also indicated that Private Lee had downplayed his asthma.
Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen in November 2014 had cited clear breaches of training safety regulations in the incident.
amy
March 11, 2016 at 12:05 am
I wonder how many hundreds of times have this smoke grenade breaches been done before this. We are not stupid to believe some pap minister that this was a girst time incident.
I think what should be on trial here is thevwhole crappy culture of military towards NS men. NS men are basically not accorded any respect and this is where problem begins.
In the US the military respect new recruits and respect them for the sacrifices they make for their country. Here in Singaporevthe ns men is not respected butvtaunted and ridiculed with vulgarities. It is this pervasive culture that need to be eradicated first. My bephew just joined NS and his family is shkcked at the use of vulgarities by the officers on the Singaporean recruits. The foreigners in Singapore are indeed lucky their children dont have to suffer this kind of degrading treatment with such utter lawlessness. Why is such kow class culturevtolerated here?
The culture in the military need to change. It must start at the top. On the respect to be given to our boys so they serve their countrycwith pride instead of hatred.