Mr Pritam Singh: To ask the Minister for Defence what are the facts and interim findings surrounding the training accident involving PTE Joshua Quek on 18 December 2019.

Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen:

PTE Joshua Quek undertook a night static line parachute jump as part of the Basic Airborne Course on Dec 18, 2019 when the training incident occurred. The jumpers' parachutes are attached to the aircraft by a cord called a 'static line'. As jumpers exit the aircraft, the static line becomes taut, and deploys the parachutes automatically. This training activity is standard airborne training conducted by militaries to teach soldiers the fundamentals of parachuting for combat deployment.

PTE Quek successfully landed within the designated landing area but sustained injuries to the neck during the course of that jump. He was attended to immediately by SAF's on-site medical officer, and subsequently evacuated by the on-site ambulance to the nearest tertiary hospital.

A formal Board of Inquiry, supported by the SAF Inspector General's Office (IGO), has been convened by the Army for a full investigation of this incident. In the meantime, all static line parachute jumps has been suspended, pending the findings of the BOI.

Without prejudicing the ongoing formal inquiry, let me now share findings from investigations thus far, with the caveat that these findings are preliminary and the BOI's report will be the final and conclusive one.

Preliminary Findings

The cause of PTE Quek's injury occurred when the static line swept across his neck when he exited the aircraft. This is a known risk for static-line parachute training and termed "static line interference". It occurs when the line is too slack and interferes with the jumper's exit from the plane. The SAF conducts about 6,000 static line parachute jumps every year. Since its inception in 1974, the SAF has graduated approximately 27,000 BAC trainees. This is the first known "static line interference" incident resulting in serious injury.

To ensure that static line interference does not occur, there are established drills and safety protocols in the training manuals and TSR for both the jumper and the jump-master. For all jumps, a qualified jump instructor is required to be on board the plane with two qualified Jump Masters (JM) at the exit door to check that these measures and other safety aspects are adhered to.

Preliminary findings suggest that the static line was not pulled taut as required and interfered with PTE Quek's exit from the plane causing a neck injury. Detailed investigations are underway to determine why this occurred and if adequate supervision was given during PTE Quek's jump.

Thus far, we know that PTE Quek had successfully undergone the requisite pre-jump qualifications, training drills and safety briefs prior to taking part in the series of live static line parachute jumps and the specific jump on the night of 18 December. The incident occurred during PTE Quek's fifth and final jump for the course. He had completed the previous four static-line jumps successfully in the days prior to the incident.

Medical and Family Support

Upon arrival at the hospital, a Magnetic Resource Imaging (MRI) revealed a cervical spine injury. In the morning of 19 Dec, PTE Quek successfully underwent surgery to relieve the pressure on his spine. A planned second surgery on 21 Dec to stabilise his cervical spine was also successfully completed without complications. PTE Quek is currently still in the ICU for close observations.

The cervical spine injury sustained by PTE Quek had resulted in neurological deficits including weakness of his upper and lower limbs. Some partial recovery of motor functions has taken place since the second surgery, but PTE Quek will require continued rehabilitation and physiotherapy for long term recovery as well as to reduce the damage from the injury. Currently, he is able to breathe on his own, conscious and alert and able to talk with his family.

PTE Quek's family was informed of the incident on the night of 18 Dec and his mother was flown to the hospital the next day. His father and brother joined him a few days after. SAF personnel are also on site to provide PTE Quek and his family medical, counselling, logistical and other forms of support.

Latest Status and Plans

The Board of Inquiry will comprehensively ascertain the detailed circumstances and possible contributory factors for the incident. It will examine all existing safety processes and procedures, whether they were adhered to and recommend areas for review and enhancement where needed. Static line parachute jumps will remain suspended until the completion of the formal inquiry and only resumed when their recommendations have been implemented.

A team of SAF doctors are working closely with the specialists at the hospital to monitor and assess PTE Quek's condition. While his condition is stable now, the medical opinion is that he stills needs close monitoring over the next few weeks. He will be brought back to Singapore when the specialists deem it safe to fly. All of us, of course wish PTE Quek a continuous and progressive recovery. Our prayers and hopes are with him and his family. MINDEF and SAF will continue to extend our full support to PTE Quek and his family on his road to recovery.