Malaysian engineer drowns in Siglap condo pool despite neighbour’s attempt to rescue her
A 37-year-old Malaysian woman tragically drowned while swimming in a pool at a Singapore condominium, 8world News reported.
Despite valiant rescue efforts by an elderly neighbour, her life could not be saved.
The incident occurred on 21 Oct at around 12.55pm at Fernwood Towers, located in the Siglap area.
The deceased, identified as Yang Siyi (transliterated from Mandarin), had worked as an engineer for a local company in Singapore for over a decade.
Source: 8world News
Speaking to MS News, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) confirmed it received a call for assistance regarding a suspected drowning at 28 Fernwood Terrace on 21 Oct 2024.
The woman was retrieved from the condominium’s swimming pool and conveyed unconscious to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Preliminary investigations indicate no foul play, and police inquiries are ongoing.
In a separate statement, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) also confirmed receiving a call for assistance at the condominium.
SCDF personnel transported the woman to Changi General Hospital (CGH).
Elderly neighbour jumps into water several times to rescue woman
A 70-year-old man, who lived on the same floor as Yang, witnessed her struggling in the water from the other end of the pool.
Source: Google Maps, for illustration purposes only
He then swam towards her and tried to rescue her. However, due to the pool’s 3m depth and his limited physical strength, he was unable to bring her to safety on his first try.
The neighbour quickly exited the pool to seek assistance for Yang.
According to 8world News, two electricians nearby heard him and rushed over, but they were unable to help as they were not familiar with swimming.
Determined to save her, the elderly man jumped into the water again and, with great effort, managed to drag Yang to the platform.
Other witnesses at the scene immediately performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the engineer, but her pulse was already weak.
The ambulance arrived and rushed her to CGH, but despite efforts to save her, Yang was unfortunately pronounced dead at 2.43pm that day.
The hospital confirmed in her death certificate that the Malaysian national died from drowning.
Family deeply grateful to elderly man, hopes he will not blame himself
Yang’s family flew from Penang to Singapore the following morning and claimed her body on 23 Oct.
They also visited her apartment and met the elderly neighbour’s wife, who apologised to the family and expressed regret that they were unable to save the 37-year-old.
However, Yang’s brother expressed that his family was deeply grateful to the elderly man for his efforts to save his sister.
He hoped to thank him in person and made it clear that they did not blame him.
“Although my sister is gone, our family is very grateful to this neighbour for lending a helping hand,” he said. “We hope he will not blame himself, feel bad, or feel guilty about this. We are very grateful for his efforts.”
Source: 8world News
The police also showed Yang’s family three CCTV videos of the incident: one of her entering the pool, another showing her struggling in the water, and the last showing her rescue.
Her brother speculated that she may have drowned due to exhaustion in the water.
The family later transported her body back to Penang for a memorial service.
Also read: 63-year-old S’porean man drowns in jacuzzi at Hong Kong hotel
63-year-old S’porean man drowns in jacuzzi at Hong Kong hotel
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Featured image adapted from 8world News and Google Maps, for illustration purposes only.
