Latest news with #CentralCatchmentNatureReserve
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Yahoo
Cyclist hit by bullet slug: Safety protocols followed during live firing at Nee Soon range, says Mindef
SINGAPORE - The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said on June 23 that safety protocols were followed at the SAF live-firing range in Nee Soon when a cyclist was hit by a bullet slug near the area on June 15. It added that live-firing activity will resume operation with immediate effect. The next scheduled live-firing activity at the range will take place on June 26. The ministry said in its update on the case on June 23 that based on the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) investigation, all relevant training directives, safety protocols and control measures were adhered to during the live-firing activity. The weapons, ammunition, shooting positions and target placements were also in compliance with the SAF's stipulated guidelines, it added. The 42-year-old man was hit in an area gazetted for SAF live-firing around the Nee Soon 500m range while cycling with his friends in a restricted area in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR), between the Upper Seletar and Upper Peirce reservoirs. At the time of the incident, an authorised live-firing activity was being conducted by the SAF at the range, which was about 2.3 km away. In its statement on June 23, Mindef said that the range was designed and built in accordance to international range safety standards, and certified for the firing of weapons such as general-purpose machine guns and sniper rifles. It added that beyond the stop butt of the range, the restricted area provides a needed safety buffer catering to scenarios such as ammunition ricochet - this was determined through trials and trajectory simulations matching the life-firing activities at the range. 'The SAF maintains a robust safety framework to ensure the safe conduct of live-firing activities, and will continue to work with NParks to ensure safety measures and public warnings regarding restricted areas remain in place,' said Mindef. 'The SAF seeks the public's cooperation in staying out of restricted areas for live-firing for their own safety. Trespassing into such areas is also a violation under the Military Manoeuvres Act.' The cyclist involved in the incident is under investigation for the offence of wilful trespass. Last week, The Straits Times learnt that the cyclist and his friends may have have taken steps to conceal from the authorities the route they took on June 15. ST found on June 17 that there are prominent signs around the park warning of a live-firing area and for visitors to keep clear. However, some cyclists and hikers choose to ignore these signs, with some in the riding community mapping out unofficial and 'more elusive tracks'. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
Malay Mail
23-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Singapore Armed Forces resumes Nee Soon live-firing after cyclist injured in restricted zone; trespass probe ongoing
SINGAPORE, June 23 — The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has resumed operations at its live-firing range in Nee Soon, a week after a cyclist was injured by a bullet slug near the area on June 15. The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said the 42-year-old man had entered a restricted part of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve between Upper Seletar and Upper Peirce reservoirs, where live-firing activity was being conducted approximately 2.3km away, according to a report published in The Straits Times today. The man was cycling with friends in the vicinity of the Nee Soon 500m range, which had been gazetted as a live-firing area. Mindef confirmed that the SAF had adhered to all relevant training directives, safety protocols, and control measures during the live-firing exercise. 'The weapons, ammunition, shooting positions and target placements were in compliance with the SAF's stipulated guidelines,' the ministry said in a statement on June 23. It added that the range was designed and constructed according to international safety standards and certified for use with weapons including sniper rifles and general-purpose machine guns. A safety buffer beyond the range's stop butt, forming part of the restricted area, accounts for potential ammunition ricochet and was determined through trajectory simulations and trials. Mindef emphasised that the SAF upholds a robust safety framework and will continue to work with the National Parks Board (NParks) to maintain public awareness and safety in restricted zones. 'The SAF seeks the public's cooperation in staying out of restricted areas for live-firing for their own safety,' said the ministry. It also noted that trespassing into such areas is an offence under the Military Manoeuvres Act. The injured cyclist is currently under investigation for wilful trespass.
CNA
20-06-2025
- CNA
Cyclist did not report gunshot wound at point of admission, says NUH
SINGAPORE: A man who suffered a gunshot wound while cycling in a restricted forested area near Nee Soon Range did not disclose that he had been shot at the point of admission to the National University Hospital (NUH). In response to CNA's queries, an NUH spokesperson said on Friday (Jun 20) that the man admitted himself to its emergency department at 1pm on Jun 15. During triage and the initial clinical assessment, the man 'did not report that he had been shot', NUH noted. Based on the man's account and the circumstances of his admission, there were also 'no overt signs' to indicate a firearm-related injury, it said. As such, 'there was no known basis for a police report to be made at that point', the hospital added. NUH said that the police were notified immediately once the cause of the external wound was 'definitively determined'. 'We are cooperating fully with the police in their investigations and are unable to comment further out of respect for patient confidentiality, and as the case remains under investigation.' On the man's treatment, NUH said he was attended to promptly, based on standard trauma protocols, and was closely monitored. Appropriate care was given based on the team's clinical assessment and the man was assessed to be in a stable condition throughout, it added. THE INCIDENT The man was shot at about 11.40am on Jun 15 while cycling with friends in a forested part of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, between Upper Seletar and Upper Peirce reservoirs — a restricted area where live-firing activities are conducted. At the time of the incident, an authorised live-firing activity was being conducted by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) at its Nee Soon 500m Range, about 2.3km away. According to the police, the man was taken to the hospital by his friends, and a bullet slug was found lodged in his left lower back. He was in a stable condition after surgery to remove the slug. In the wake of the incident, Singapore's cycling governing body has urged riders to stay on designated trails and follow safety guidelines. The man is currently being investigated for wilful trespass, the police said on Wednesday. Under the Military Manoeuvres Act, unauthorised individuals are not allowed to enter gazetted areas designated for SAF live-firing for their own safety. Wilful trespass refers to a person deliberately trespassing on any grounds that belong to the government, areas designated for public purposes, houses, premises, land, boats or vessels without a satisfactory excuse.
Malay Mail
20-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Shot cyclist may have hidden route through Singapore military live-firing zone, say sources
SINGAPORE, June 20 — The cyclist who was shot while riding in a live-firing zone in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve is being investigated for wilful trespass — and now faces fresh scrutiny over possible efforts to hide the route he and his friends took. Sources told The Straits Times (ST) that the 42-year-old man, identified only as L, did not immediately inform police or hospital staff that he had been in the vicinity of the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) Nee Soon Range when he was struck by a bullet slug on June 15. Although L was taken to the National University Hospital (NUH) at about 1pm, police were not notified until 11.55pm — over 12 hours later. The projectile, which lodged in his lower left back, narrowly missed his kidney. NUH said he underwent surgery at 10pm, when the foreign object was removed and identified as a bullet slug. 'During triage and initial clinical assessment, the patient did not report that he had been shot. There were no overt signs to indicate a firearm-related injury... 'Once the cause of the external wound was definitively determined, we notified the police immediately,' a hospital spokesman said. Both NUH and the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said they are cooperating with police, who are now investigating whether L deliberately withheld key information. Meanwhile, checks by ST showed that L, a regular user of the Strava cycling app, had entered the Woodcutter's Trail — an unofficial and restricted track — from Chestnut Nature Park at about 11am with a group of roughly 10 riders. Another cyclist, W, a frequent riding partner, has since deleted his June 15 data from Strava. However, the route was still visible on his public Garmin profile. Mindef said the incident occurred around 11.40am, during an SAF live-firing exercise. L initially denied being in a restricted zone but admitted it the following day. The Gurkha Contingent was deployed to sweep the area that night. Strava logs reviewed by ST show L had used the trail regularly since 2014, with at least 10 rides logged there in 2025 alone. After ST visited a Pasir Panjang-area bike shop frequented by L and W, W made his tracking data private and L deleted his social media accounts. Other cyclists also began removing photos and videos of their rides in the area. Mindef reiterated that SAF training zones are off-limits under the Military Manoeuvres Act to protect public safety. Investigations are ongoing.
Malay Mail
19-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Cyclist shot in back during Singapore military live-firing exercise now probed for trespassing
SINGAPORE, June 19 — A 42-year-old cyclist who was shot in the back while riding through a restricted military zone in Singapore is now under police investigation for wilful trespass, authorities confirmed yesterday. The man had been cycling on Sunday through the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR), between Upper Seletar and Upper Peirce reservoirs — an area gazetted for Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) live-firing drills. During a military exercise at the nearby Nee Soon Range, about 2.3km away, he was struck by a bullet. He was taken by friends to National University Hospital, where doctors found a bullet slug lodged in his lower back. Police said the injury was not life-threatening and the man was in stable condition after surgery to remove the slug. But now, The Straits Times reported that the focus has turned to whether the cyclist himself broke the law by entering the off-limits area. 'The police are investigating the man for wilful trespass,' a police spokesman told the paper. Singapore's Ministry of Defence also reminded the public that unauthorised entry into live-firing zones is prohibited under the Military Manoeuvres Act. 'Such areas are gazetted for safety reasons and clearly marked with warning signs,' the ministry said. Despite these warnings, thrill-seeking cyclists continue to ride into the zone. The Woodcutter's Trail — a challenging and unofficial mountain biking route — winds through steep terrain in the CCNR and is known to attract riders who enter via Chestnut Nature Park and exit near Mandai Crematorium or Seletar Reservoir. A visit by The Straits Times on June 17 found multiple warning signs in the area, but hikers and cyclists were still seen venturing past them. Under Singapore law, wilful trespass carries a maximum fine of S$1,000 (RM3,300). Police investigations are ongoing.
