90kg poly student dies after backflip during cheerleading practice
A Ngee Ann Polytechnic student died yesterday morning, after spending two weeks in a coma after injuring his head while doing a backflip.
According to a report in The Straits Times, Lai Qing Xiang, 19, a member of the polytechnic’s cheerleading team Magnum Force, fell unconscious shortly after the Aug 30 accident and was sent to the National University Hospital. He never regained consciousness.
His father Patrick Lai, 57, said, “He was big. He stood 1.75m tall and weighed 90kg. Why was he asked to do a backward flip?” said the businessman. “Was my son properly taught and trained how to execute a backflip?” Mr Lai, a businessman, was told that the backflip was a “routine” cheerleading manoeuvre.
A cheerleader present at the training session said Qing Xiang was being guided through the move by two others. He had done one backflip and was attempting another. A polytechnic spokesman said the team had been practising on safety mats and were supervised. It has suspended all practice sessions for the cheerleading club until further notice and police are looking into the matter.
Paramedics found Qing Xiang had suffered a cardiac arrest, and an officer performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on him before a doctor took over at the hospital. Mr Lai said doctors got his son’s heart going and his condition seemed to improve before deteriorating on Wednesday night. He died shortly after midnight.
Ngee Ann Polytechnic Cheerleader dies from injuries 理工生练后空翻摔跌重伤2周后去世
Credits: euko82 (EDMW)
Original Chinese Text
理工学院啦啦队学生练习后空翻，不慎摔跌紧急送院，挣扎14天后不敌死神，今天凌晨去世。
人称“开心果”的19岁理工生赖庆祥（译音）一向对啦啦队活动深感兴趣。
入学义安理工学院后，性格开朗活泼的他，选择啦啦队为课外活动，积极参与练习。
Translated by the Bf
Ngee Ann Polytechnic student who accidentally fell while training his backflip died after 14 days in hospital. The 19 year old is described as being a cheerful and happy go lucky guy who has always been interested in cheerleading.
