Fatal Bionix accident: Trainer pleads not guilty
Prosecution, defence differ on need to establish communication with Bionix when overtaking it
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Ong Lin Jie, a captain, was at the November 2018 exercise as a trainer. He has since been suspended from service.
The Singapore Armed Forces captain accused of acting rashly in an incident that led to the death of full-time national serviceman (NSF) Liu Kai pleaded not guilty yesterday.
Corporal First Class (CFC) Liu, 22, was driving Ong Lin Jie in a Land Rover that was mounted by a reversing Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicle during a training exercise in November 2018.
Ong, 30, is accused of acting rashly by failing to keep a safe distance of 30m between the Land Rover and the Bionix, ordering CFC Liu to overtake it though it was unsafe to do so, and without first establishing communication with the other vehicle. Ong has since been suspended from service.
The prosecution contends Ong should have known that there was a risk that the Bionix might need to reverse, as part of the drill. "Despite this obvious risk, the accused ordered the deceased to overtake (the Bionix) without first establishing any communication with (its) crew to ensure that it was safe to do so," said the prosecution.
Ong's lawyer, Mr Teo Choo Kee, argued that there was no regulation that stated his client had to establish communication with the Bionix vehicle when overtaking it.
In questioning prosecution witness Captain Wan Hong Wee, the conducting officer in the exercise, Mr Teo noted that the practice of overtaking a stationary armoured vehicle like the Bionix would be to ensure a 2m width between the two vehicles.
Cpt Wan testified that while he was not aware of any stipulation that one had to establish communication before overtaking, he personally would have honked to make his intention clear.
The court heard that on Nov 3, 2018, the 42nd Battalion Singapore Armoured Regiment was conducting a company exercise.
Ong was there as a trainer and was also responsible for the safety of CFC Liu, the only other person in the Land Rover with him.
Shortly before 10am, Ong and CFC Liu stopped about 30m to 31m behind the Bionix at a junction. Ong did not know why the Bionix had stopped, and ordered CFC Liu to overtake it on its left.
As he was overtaking the Bionix, CFC Liu heard rounds being fired and stopped about 16m to 18m behind it. The Bionix reversed and mounted the driver's side of the Land Rover, pinning CFC Liu in his seat. His cause of death was traumatic asphyxia.
If convicted, Ong could be jailed for up to five years, fined, or both.
The trial continues today.
