‘You were a gentle giant’: Friends remember USS WaterWorld stunt performer, 42, who died after ‘medical emergency’

Tributes have poured in online for the USS WaterWorld stunt performer who died after suffering a “medical emergency” during a training session on May 19.

The performer is Willis Sia, a 42-year-old who was a member of a local Star Wars cosplay community and took on the role of Darth Vader during events.

Sia was remembered as a loving friend and a “gentle giant”.

Tributes

News of Sia’s passing was reported on May 26.

Since his passing, Sia's Facebook page has been flooded with tributes, with a number of them being posted on May 25.

Many of them included photos of Sia in his Darth Vader get-up at cosplay events.

“You were a gentle giant with an even bigger heart,” one post read.

Another read, “Thank you for making things so colourful. Your story might have ended but your deed will always live on.”

One person, who knew Sia through cosplay events, told 8world that he remembered Sia for his kindness when he was dealing with the loss of his wife.

A tribute to Sia was also posted on the Star Wars community's Facebook page.

"Through the years, many of us knew Willis not just as Darth Vader, but also as a familiar and jovial presence within the Singapore Garrison who had a fondness for dad jokes," the post read.

A photo of Sia in his Darth Vader costume at a Hair for Hope event was shared along with the post.

Friends and family at wake

When Mothership visited Sia’s wake in Bukit Batok on May 27 afternoon, tables of guests were already present.

One guest was seen wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the graphics of the Star Wars community that Sia was part of.

Friends and relatives were seen arriving throughout the afternoon to pay their respects.

Wreaths were also seen being delivered.

When approached, Sia’s family declined to comment.

Sia’s cortege is scheduled to depart on May 28.

Medical emergency

It was reported on May 22 that a USS WaterWorld stunt performer suffered what a Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) spokesperson described as a "medical emergency" during a May 19 training session.

RWS did not provide details on the nature of the emergency.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it received a call for assistance at 30 Sentosa Gateway at about 10:35am on May 19.

Responding to Mothership's queries, a Singapore Police Force (SPF) spokesperson said they received a call for assistance at RWS at about 10:30am on May 19.

The 42-year-old was conveyed to the hospital, where he subsequently passed away.

News of his passing broke on May 26.

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

Investigations are ongoing, the SPF spokesperson said.

RWS has said that training is conducted with safety protocols in place and that RWS is "reviewing the circumstances of the incident together with the performer's employer".

Mothership understands that Sia was allegedly in the attraction's show pool around the time of the incident.

Mothership has reached out to Sia’s employer, described as an industry leader in live action stunts, for more information.