NSF Guardsman, 19, dies after being warded for heat injury: Mindef

SINGAPORE — A 19-year-old full-time national serviceman has died, more than a week after he was warded for intensive care for heat-related injuries, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Monday (April 30).

Private Dave Lee Han Xuan, a Guardsman from the 1st Battalion Singapore Guards, showed signs of heat injury after an 8km fast march in Bedok Camp at 8.35am on April 18.

After a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) medic tried to bring down his core temperature, Private Lee was sent to Bedok Camp's medical centre where a SAF medical team continued "body cooling measures and treatment".

He was sent to the Changi General Hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at about 9.50am that day.

"Unfortunately, Private Lee's condition did not improve in the ICU and worsened during the hospitalisation," Mindef said in the statement, adding that the NSF died in the hospital at 5.32pm on Monday.

Private Lee, a former Jurong Junior College student, enlisted for National Service on January 5, and completed his Basic Military Training on March 11, according to information on his Facebook account.

He turned 19 on April 20, two days after he was admitted to the hospital. His friends and family members wrote several get-well messages on his Facebook account, saying it was "time to wake up".

The youth's uncle, Mr David Lee, described him as an "obedient boy" who was cheerful and very close to (his) family.

Private Lee's parents, Mr Dennis Lee and Madam Jasmine Yeo, wrote farewell messages for their son on Facebook on Monday evening.

"Dave had completed his final journey with us @1732 today and now he is on his way to create miracles to others! We are proud of him and hope more people will be able to benefit from his generosity!" wrote Madam Yeo.

The SAF is assisting the family in their time of grief, the ministry added in the statement.