Defence Executive Assistant Suffered Cardiac Arrest in SAF Detention Barracks and Dies in Hospital

A Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) Defence Executive Assistant, Sivaperumal S/O Tanggayelu, aged 54, who was detained at the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Detention Barracks to assist in investigations, collapsed while taking a shower at about 6.49 pm on 18 Oct 2013.

The duty medic immediately commenced resuscitation efforts on Mr Sivaperumal who was unconscious and without pulse. At 7.09pm, Mr Sivaperumal was evacuated via an SAF ambulance to the Tengah Air Base Medical Centre where an SAF doctor assessed that he had suffered from a cardiac arrest. Advanced life support intervention was initiated and Mr Sivaperumal was subsequently evacuated to the National University Hospital (NUH) Emergency Department at 7.44 pm while resuscitation efforts continued en route to the hospital.  At NUH, Mr Sivaperumal was resuscitated at 8.15 pm but remained in critical condition. Mr Sivaperumal was pronounced dead at 8.49 pm on 21 Oct 2013 at NUH.

Prior to his detention, Mr Sivaperumal had been assessed to be medically fit for remand. Since commencing his detention on 15 Oct 2013, Mr Sivaperumal had not reported sick or complained that he was feeling unwell.  He had also been excused from physical activities.

MINDEF and the SAF extend their deepest condolences to the family of the late Mr Sivaperumal. The SAF is providing assistance to the family and is investigating the incident.