NSF, 21, injured spine during unilateral parachute training exercise in Taiwan: Mindef

SINGAPORE — A full-time national serviceman (NSF) has been injured during a parachute training exercise in Taiwan that involved only Singapore soldiers.

The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said in a statement on Friday (Dec 20) that Private Joshua Quek Shou Jie, 21, sustained a cervical spine injury on Wednesday night during the unilateral training.

The statement did not provide the details on how the accident took place and Mindef is not able to disclose the serviceman’s unit.

It said that Private Quek was immediately evacuated to the nearest hospital where he underwent surgery on Thursday morning.

“Surgery proceeded without complications and his condition is currently stable,” Mindef said. “Private Quek is being monitored in the intensive care unit and further treatment to stabilise the cervical spine injury is planned.”

It added that an orthopaedic specialist from Singapore has been flown there to help coordinate medical care.

The NSF’s family has also flown to Taiwan to visit him in hospital, Mindef said.

Both parents have spoken with their son, who is conscious and lucid.

“The family has asked that their privacy be respected while Private Quek undergoes further treatment for his recovery,” Mindef said. “The Ministry of Defence and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will continue to render full support and assistance to the family.”

SAF is investigating the incident, and the unit’s parachute training exercise has been suspended until the outcome of the investigation.