Singaporean soldier, actor dies due to injuries in military training

WELLINGTON, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- A Singaporean soldier and actor died on Thursday after he was injured in a military exercise in New Zealand's North Island during the weekend.

Reservist Pang Wei Chong, also known as Aloysius Pang, was injured while repairing a Singaporean howitzer on Saturday, as the Singapore Armed Forces was taking part in Exercise Thunder Warrior which is an annual live-firing exercise held in Waiouru, in North Island.

Pang has starred in several films and television shows in Singapore.

A statement released by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) said it "learned with sadness of the death of a member of the Singaporean Armed Forces due to injuries he received in an accident during a training exercise at Waiouru Military Training Area."

"Our thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the soldier," it said.

No NZDF personnel were involved in the accident, the statement said, adding that NZDF hosts Exercise Thunder Warrior and provides administrative support and liaison officers but was not taking part in this year's exercise. Enditem