A 43-year-old flight steward with Singapore Airlines has died in South Africa after reportedly hitting his head in a fall at a shopping mall.
Charles Chng is understood to be a leading flight steward and has been with Singapore’s flag carrier for at least 20 years, Chinese newspapers Shin Min Daily News and Lianhe Wanbao reported yesterday.
My Paper understands that he had been at Rosebank Mall in Johannesburg on Feb 24 when he fainted, falling and hitting the back of his head.
He was unconscious for 20 to 30 minutes and was taken to hospital by paramedics.
There were no signs of bleeding on the back of Mr Chng’s head, nor were there signs of injury on the other parts of his body, so it is believed that he had fallen due to a stroke, Wanbao reported yesterday.
He spent several days in hospital and died on Tuesday.
My Paper understands that arrangements are being made to fly his body back to Singapore.
A good friend of his, who did not give his name, told Shin Min that Mr Chng had posted photos of welcome drinks his hotel had provided him when he checked in.
“Charles’ brother flew there when he was informed, but a week after Charles was sent to hospital, his condition worsened and he was sent to intensive care, where he died,” said the friend, who had known Mr Chng for more than 10 years.
Mr Chng’s younger brother Terry wrote on Facebook on Tuesday: “Goodbye brother. You will always be in our hearts. You are a fighter and a warrior. You have been fighting so hard for us. It’s time to rest. We love you.”
Mr Chng’s Facebook page shows the places that he had been to, including San Francisco, Paris, Japan, Dubai and Sydney.
His friends and colleagues have left condolences on Facebook.
Kou Kee Fu, who lists his occupation as an officer at SIA, wrote on Tuesday that he “can’t believe” the sad news.
“He left us too sudden at JNB (Johannesburg). RIP bro. My condolences (to) his family,” wrote Mr Kou.
Marissa Ang wrote: “Charles, rest in peace… I’m gonna miss you.”
A colleague, who declined to be named, told Wanbao that Mr Chng was a warm, friendly person who cared and looked after those around him.
An SIA spokesman told My Paper yesterday that it would not respond on individual staff matters as a matter of policy.
myp@sph.com.sg
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