M'sian woman, 37, drowns in Siglap condo pool 2 weeks after birthday

A 37-year-old Malaysian woman passed away after she drowned in the swimming pool at Fernwood Towers, a condominium in Siglap, at around 12:55pm on Oct. 21.

Before her passing, the woman, surnamed Yang (transliteration), had worked in Singapore for over 10 years, reported 8world News.

In response to Mothership's queries, the Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed they received a call for assistance regarding the incident.

After Yang's body was retrieved from the swimming pool, SCDF conveyed her to Changi General Hospital (CGH), where she subsequently passed away.

Based on preliminary investigations, the police do not suspect foul play.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Yang just celebrated birthday on Oct. 4

Speaking to 8world, Yang's eldest brother, 46, shared that his sister hailed from Penang and was the youngest child of the family.

The last time she reunited with her family was during Chinese New Year 2024, when she took two weeks' leave.

Yang had been working as an engineer in Singapore "for years", and she "aspired to progress further in her career", said Yang's brother.

Outside of work, Yang also had "a fulfilling life" and loved "exploring different countries and cultures while travelling".

Yang's brother added that she had just celebrated her birthday on Oct. 4, approximately two weeks before the tragedy occurred.

Family devastated

Yang's eldest brother told 8world that it was his younger brother who was informed by the Singapore police of Yang's passing on Oct. 21.

Upon hearing the sudden news, Yang's family "could not bring themselves to come to terms with it".

Their elderly mother broke down upon learning that Yang had died, recounted the brother.

Yang's family immediately began booking plane tickets, but they were only able to arrive in Singapore on Oct. 22 morning.

After retrieving Yang's body on Oct. 23, her family brought her back to Penang and held a memorial service for her.

What CCTV footage showed

According to 8world, the Singapore police showed three CCTV footage to Yang's family.

The first one reportedly showed her entering the swimming pool and began swimming.

In the second clip, Yang could be seen struggling and splashing water in the pool after resting in one of its corners.

The third clip showed Yang being rescued from the pool, with a passer-by performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on her.

Yang's eldest brother surmised that she might have drowned "due to exhaustion".

Man in his 70s tried to rescue Yang multiple times

At the time of the incident, a man in his 70s, who lived on the same floor as Yang, was on the other side of the pool, reported 8world.

When he saw Yang struggling, he "immediately swam towards her" and tried to pull her out

However, as the pool was 3m-deep and the elderly man "did not have enough strength", his first rescue attempt was unsuccessful.

The man subsequently went out of the pool and called for help, but two electricians passing by "were unable to help because they did not know how to swim".

As such, the elderly man went into the pool again, and after "multiple attempts", he was able to pull Yang out of the water.

In response, a passer-by immediately began performing CPR on Yang, but "her pulse was weak".

Doctors failed to save her.

Yang was pronounced dead at around 2:43pm, and the hospital stated that her cause of death was "drowning".

Yang's family wishes to thank elderly man

When Yang's brothers and her mother went to the condominium, they met the elderly man's wife, according to 8world.

The wife apologised to Yang's family, adding that she and her husband "were sorry for not being able to rescue Yang".

In response, Yang's eldest brother said his family "did not wish to blame the elderly man" and "hoped to thank him in person".

He added:

"Even though our sister is gone, our entire family is very thankful to the elderly neighbour for lending a helping hand.

We hope he will not blame himself or feel guilty about our sister's passing. We are very grateful for his efforts."

Top images via 8world News