• Jethro Puah Xin Yang, an ACSI student, died after appearing to lose his footing at a high-element course at Safra Yishun
• His parents described their only child as a loving son, exemplary student and caring friend
• He was class chairperson and top of his class academically, they said
• His aunt said that it will take a long while for the family to get over the loss

SINGAPORE — The parents of the 15-year-old Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) student who died on Thursday (Feb 4) described their only child as a loving son, exemplary student and caring friend as they held his wake on Friday.

In a statement issued to the media, Mr and Mrs Puah, who declined to give their full names, said that it would be hard to let go due to the close bond with their son, Jethro Puah Xin Yang.

“He had always been a part of the family equation and we did everything together. More than a son, he was a close friend who communicated openly and we mutually supported one another in the family unit.

“We know this is not a goodbye as we will see him again in our heavenly home.”

The boy, a Secondary 4 student, was taking part in a school camp programme at an adventure sports centre at Safra Yishun on Wednesday when he apparently lost his footing while at a height, and later died.

In a statement on Thursday, the police said he “had purportedly lost his footing while participating in a high-element course, but was suspended by the safety harness and subsequently lost consciousness when he was lowered to the ground”.

The programme was run by outdoor adventure learning company Camelot.

Paramedics from the Singapore Civil Defence Force, responding to a call at about 1.50pm that day, performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation and used an automated external defibrillator on him.

He was taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Yishun where he died the next morning.

The wake took place at Singapore Casket’s funeral parlour at Lavender Street on Friday and was attended by family and relatives.

In their statement, Jethro’s parents said that he had grown up in a nurturing family and church background.

As a class chairperson, he was among the top in his class academically, even without tuition and pressure from his parents.

His friends would also turn to him for advice, words of comfort and encouragement, they added.

“He walked through difficult times with friends and prayed for them. He had lived such an impactful and fruitful life. Short it may be, more importantly, very purposeful and completed.”

In a Facebook post on Friday evening, Education Minister Lawrence Wong sent his deepest condolences and sympathies to Jethro's family.

"My heart goes out to the parents of the Secondary 4 boy who left us suddenly. To his family members and loved ones, my deepest condolences and sympathies.

"To his friends and classmates — be strong. As a school, as a community, we are with you. Know that you can reach out to your teachers and counsellors any time.”

Speaking to the media at the wake, Ms Betsy Lee, Jethro’s aunt, said that the family was “distraught and traumatised” by his death.

“Anyone who saw his body just broke down and wailed. Even the cousins were all crying and weeping over the loss of this young man.”

Ms Lee, who is in her 70s, described Jethro as a compassionate and thoughtful boy who had touched all those around him.

He was a “very talented” musician who played the guitar and violin.

She declined to comment on the incident which led to his death, but said that it will take a long while for the family and relatives to get over his death.

“It’s really a great loss to see him just gone overnight, you know. He’s really a child that every parent would want.”

Following Jethro’s death, the Ministry of Education (MOE) on Thursday announced the immediate suspension of outdoor activities involving high elements for all schools, pending the completion of the investigations.

High-element activities involving students clearing an obstacle course at a height are commonly organised as a form of outdoor education to instil confidence, ruggedness and teamwork.

All activities at the Safra Yishun adventure sports centre are temporarily suspended to facilitate investigations.