Friday, January 28, 2011

RIP Eugin Wee - Need answers

If you don't already know, this morning, an NSF was killed by a reversing truck by a fellow soldier. The full story can be found here <- (click)

I'll just quote the story here:


A FULL-TIME National Serviceman (NSF) was hit and killed by a truck driven by another serviceman in Jurong camp 1 early on Friday morning.
Lance Corporal (LCP) Wee Yong Choon Eugin, a Signal Operator, was about to unload stores from the back of the truck at 7am on Friday morning when it reversed into him.

This was all the information that the news report gave. I am not satisfied. 

What exactly happened? Did the truck (probably a tonner?) roll over him? The previous incident involving the officer stated that the truck reversed and crushed him. (I think it was something about the brakes not being set or something I can't remember) What about this one?

The ambiguous nature of it makes it seem like the truck just full speed reversed and drifted into the spot, while LCP Eugin was standing there, and the impact killed him. Which doesn't seem quite likely.

So the alternative explanation was that it hit him, he fell, and then crushed him. But if he was waiting to unload stores, why was he standing (or sitting? or?) in the parking lot? Shouldn't he be waiting further away?

Another possible scenario in my head based on how the article phrased it, was that Eugin had opened the latch at the back, was 'about to unload stores', and suddenly the driver decided he wasn't reversed enough and reversed further, and Eugin got knocked over and crushed or something. If THIS was the answer.... the driver needs to be flogged. 

More questions to be asked - Where was the vehicle commander?(VC) In SAF, all vehicles have a vehicle commander who is usually a 3SG and above (I think it IS a requirement). When the vehicle (especially a large one) is reversing, the VC is supposed to get off and direct the driver into the parking bay. Not only is this to ensure the parking is done accurately, it also prevents such accidents from occurring.


I'd hope for a proper full report to be out tomorrow, so all these can be answered. 



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