Yesterday’s National Day Parade was a return to its pre-pandemic spectacle, but viewers were left worried after a parachutist lost control and fell hard onto the Marina Bay Floating Platform during a free fall display.
Third Warrant Officer Jeffrey Heng was the last of 10 parachutists to land during the yearly segment featuring the Singapore Armed Forces Parachute Team aka the Red Lions doing formations in the air before spiraling down to the platform.
While making his descent, Heng swooped down fast while his parachute leaned more to the right, causing him to land hard on his bum and legs and then tumble upon impact. The camera during the live broadcast immediately cut to another scene.
In photos and videos of the aftermath posted by audience members, Heng was attended to by paramedics and later stretchered off. The other nine parachutists carried on with the show, smiling and waving at the cameras.
Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen last night put out an update saying that Heng’s condition is “currently stable, alert and conscious” and he is “receiving medical attention.”
NDP host Joakim Gomez also gave a similar update on national television midway through the show.
Heng’s fall was one of the most talked-about moments during this year’s parade. Another involved a shot of an emotional man tearing up during the singing of the National Anthem, an image that sparked several memes.
This year’s National Day marked Singapore’s 57th birthday and featured the city-state’s biggest parade since the pandemic hit. The Floating Platform was at full capacity with 25,000 spectators kept entertained by hosts Rishi Budhrani, Siti Khalijah, Joakim Gomez and Sonia Chew. Thousands of performers contributed to the show with song and dance performances in line with this year’s theme — Stronger Together, Majulah.
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