New Zealand

Inquest for Singaporean actor, soldier Aloysius Pang ruled out

07:03 am on 7 March 2019

An inquest has been ruled out following a Singaporean soldier's death after training in Waiouru.

Singaporean actor Aloysius Pangtion was injured at the Waiouru Training Area. Photo: Facebook / NoonTalk.Aloysius

Aloysius Pang was well known as an actor, but was also a corporal in Singapore's army reserves. Male citizens in the Singapore are legally required to serve in its defence force for two years.

Mr Pang was involved in a training exercise in January at the New Zealand Defence Force base.

The 28-year-old was crushed between the gun barrel of a howitzer and the cabin he was in, when the barrel was lowered as he was repairing it.

He died in Waikato Hospital after several operations.

A report from Coroner Debra Bell said the police had not treated the death as suspicious.

As a result, she said it was unlikely the Attorney-General would ask for an inquest.

The New Zealand Defence Force ruled out an internal inquiry of its own, however it said it would help Singapore's investigation, which is expected to be completed in the next couple of months.

The Singaporean training event, Exercise Thunder Warrior, is hosted by New Zealand's military but New Zealand soldiers do not take part.