SCDF accepts coroner's findings of unsupervised toddler’s drowning, addresses concerns

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has released a media statement in response to a coroner's findings on a toddler's drowning.

A toddler aged one year and eight months died in June 2024 after falling into his home pool.

On Apr. 29, 2026, his death was ruled by the State Coroner to be a tragic accidental drowning, according to a Coroner's Inquiry document seen by Mothership.

The State Coroner also found the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) paramedics' "insistence" on obtaining the toddler's birth certificate before the ambulance left for the hospital to be "unnecessary".

He added that there should either have been better and calmer communication about why the certificate was necessary, or paramedics should have compromised when the parents could not get the document quickly enough.

However, the coroner found that the additional time in getting the birth certificate was unlikely to have changed the boy's fate. He added that it would be wrong to suggest that the quality of first aid provided by the SCDF at the scene was in any way substandard.

SCDF accepts coroner's findings, addresses concerns

On May 5, 2026, SCDF said in a media statement that it is aware of the concerns raised in relation to the demise of a toddler due to drowning on Jun. 9, 2024.

"Our thoughts are with the family," said SCDF.

"We accept the Coroner's findings in respect of the incident and would like to address the concerns."

SCDF's response to incident

According to the statement, on Jun. 9, 2024 at about 1:15pm, SCDF was alerted to the incident. An ambulance was immediately dispatched and arrived at the incident location within eight minutes.

Upon arrival, the ambulance crew, comprising a paramedic and two emergency medical technicians, found that the toddler had no pulse and was not breathing.

The statement noted that they immediately commenced resuscitation efforts, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and airway management.

The toddler was subsequently conveyed to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), where the ambulance crew continued to perform medical interventions until the toddler was handed over to KTPH.

Review of paramedic's actions

In addition, SCDF said it is aware of the concerns raised by the toddler's family about the requests for the toddler's birth certificate during the incident.

Following the incident, SCDF conducted an internal review, including the footage from the officers' body-worn cameras.

According to the statement, the review found that the paramedic requested the birth certificate at two junctures — when the ambulance crew arrived at the incident location, and when they were preparing to convey the toddler to the hospital.

The statement noted that at both junctures, the necessary medical interventions continued to be carried out on the toddler.

Coroner's observation

In that regard, the statement noted that the Coroner was satisfied that SCDF's interventions were appropriate and timely, and that the paramedic's requests for the birth certificate would not have changed the outcome of the incident.

SCDF also said it agrees with the Coroner's observation that when there is a need to bring patients as expeditiously as possible to the hospital, paramedics should exercise flexibility with regard to procedural requirements, such as the necessity of obtaining a birth certificate.

"This is indeed SCDF's Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)," the statement read.

"All our paramedics are trained to prioritise patient care over compliance with administrative procedures," the statement noted, adding that this has always been emphasised and reinforced across all units to all officers.

Birth certificate

SCDF said that where the birth certificate or identity card is available, this can help enhance the medical interventions and outcome for the victim.

According to the statement, the collection of patient information would facilitate access to the patient's medical history and continuity of care upon handing over the patient at the hospital.

SCDF said, however, that "this should not hinder or delay any conveyance or emergency medical treatment that a patient requires, and this is indeed SCDF's longstanding SOP".

To that, SCDF accepts the Coroner's findings that there could have been better and calmer communication of the reasons for the requests for the birth certificate, the statement read.

SCDF also said it was aware that media reports had mentioned the difference between the paramedic's account in court and the findings from the body-worn camera footage regarding the requirement to obtain the birth certificate before the toddler was conveyed to the hospital.

"We will review what the paramedic had said in court," said SCDF.

Medical intervention

It noted that in emergency situations, SCDF Emergency Medical Services personnel often have to operate in fast-paced and evolving conditions, where they are required to make time-critical judgment calls while continuing to provide immediate medical treatment and intervention.

In this incident, the paramedic had continued to administer medical interventions on the toddler, even as he requested the birth certificate, the statement read.

SCDF said it remains committed to upholding the highest standards of emergency care for Singaporeans and ensuring that our response is timely, effective, and centred on saving lives.

"We will continue to reinforce this to all our officers," said SCDF.