NSF injured in Taiwan parachute training back in Singapore for medical care, rehab

SINGAPORE — The full-time national serviceman (NSF) who was injured during a parachute training exercise in Taiwan last month is now resting in a hospital here for continued care and rehabilitation.

In a media statement on Thursday (Jan 16), the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said that Private Joshua Quek Shou Jie, 21, was flown into the country using an A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport from the Republic of Singapore Air Force which was purpose-built for aeromedical evacuation.

“Doctors in charge of Private Quek (had) assessed that his condition was stable to fly (on Thursday),” Mindef said.

During the flight back home, Private Quek was accompanied by a team of medical specialists from the Singapore Armed Forces — comprising medical officers and military medical experts — who monitored his condition closely.

“The aeromedical evacuation was successfully completed without any complications,” Mindef said.

The ministry added that Private Quek’s family members, who have also returned to Singapore, are appreciative of the concern shown by members of the public and have repeated their request for privacy while they focus fully on his recovery.

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said previously that the injuries sustained by Private Quek could have been caused by a cord that was not pulled tight as required.

The cord — known as a “static line” — attaches jumpers’ parachutes to the aircraft. Preliminary findings suggest that the slack line interfered with the serviceman’s exit from the plane, causing a neck injury, Dr Ng said.