Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Channel NewsAsia - Wednesday, January 14SINGAPORE: It would be easy, in hindsight, to say the drowning of Singapore Management University student Levin Angsana could have been prevented with the wearing of life jackets, said a coroner on Tuesday.
But taking into consideration other factors on that fateful day -- such as excellent sailing conditions, adequate life jackets on board the keelboat, and the fact that all crew--members were proficient in sailing -- District Judge Victor Yeo said there was "nothing to suggest recklessness or a lackadaisical attitude towards their personal safety that fateful day".
Fellow crew members had tried in vain to save Mr Angsana, 22, when he fell into the sea while trying to retrieve a fallen sail. His body was found two days later.
Noting that a sailor who was a weak swimmer would put on a life--jacket while at sea, Mr Yeo said each person should look after his personal safety in water sports.
The coroner ruled Mr Angsana's drowning on July 3, last year, an accident.
Speaking to reporters outside court, Mr Heryandi Angsana said he hoped to see changes to the system, as a result of his son's death.
He suggested more rigorous standards in the basic sailing proficiency tests, and that it be made compulsory that all sailors be able to swim.
"There are many young people keen to sail and their lives are at stake too," he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment