Suspected drowning at Sentosa: Beachgoers heard shouts for help and saw a pair of hands in water

Ang Tian Tian
The New Paper
Sep 8, 2017

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to a suspected drowning case at Palawan Beach, Sentosa, at about 2.50pm yesterday.

Two fire engines, one marine vessel, an ambulance and officers from the Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Dart) were dispatched. Dart officers conducted an underwater search operation at a depth of about 4m in low visibility.

"As there was no sign of a case, the underwater search operation was called off at 6.30pm," said SCDF. "A periodic surface search will be conducted henceforth."

Two friends, students Shazwan Abdullah, 17, and 16-year-old Sonia Jumat, and flight attendant Nicole Tomm, 30, were lying on the beach when they told The New Paper they heard shouts of "help".

Ms Sonia said she spotted a pair of hands in the water along the edge of the safety net before it disappeared while Shazwan rushed to inform a nearby beach patrol officer.

A spokesman for Sentosa Development Corporation said that beach patrol officers responded to a request for assistance at about 2.30pm.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to a suspected drowning case at Palawan Beach, Sentosa, at about 2.50pm yesterday.

Two fire engines, one marine vessel, an ambulance and officers from the Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Dart) were dispatched. Dart officers conducted an underwater search operation at a depth of about 4m in low visibility.

"As there was no sign of a case, the underwater search operation was called off at 6.30pm," said SCDF. "A periodic surface search will be conducted henceforth."

Two friends, students Shazwan Abdullah, 17, and 16-year-old Sonia Jumat, and flight attendant Nicole Tomm, 30, were lying on the beach when they told The New Paper they heard shouts of "help".

Ms Sonia said she spotted a pair of hands in the water along the edge of the safety net before it disappeared while Shazwan rushed to inform a nearby beach patrol officer.

A spokesman for Sentosa Development Corporation said that beach patrol officers responded to a request for assistance at about 2.30pm.