SCDF to review paramedic's court statements after bodycam shows birth cert requests in toddler drowning case

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said on 5 May 2026 it will review a paramedic’s statements made in court after body-worn camera footage showed repeated requests for a toddler’s birth certificate during an emergency response.

The case concerns the death of a one-year-eight-month-old boy who drowned at home in June 2024. The State Coroner ruled last week that the death was a tragic accident following a formal inquiry.

SCDF stated that media reports had highlighted differences between the paramedic’s court account and the footage recorded during the incident. The paramedic had denied claims that administrative requests delayed hospital conveyance.

“We will review what the paramedic had said in court,” SCDF said in a statement published on Facebook.

Conflicting accounts and internal review

SCDF confirmed it had conducted an internal review after the incident, including examination of body-worn camera recordings from responding officers.

The review found that the paramedic asked for the child’s birth certificate at two separate points: upon arrival at the residence and again while preparing to transport the child to hospital.

“At both junctures, the necessary medical interventions continued to be carried out on the toddler,” SCDF said.

The agency added that the State Coroner had found its interventions to be appropriate and timely, and concluded that the requests for documentation would not have altered the outcome.

SCDF also stated that paramedics are trained to prioritise patient care over administrative procedures.

“This has always been emphasised and reinforced across all our units to all our officers,” it said.

Emergency response and timeline of events

According to findings released on 30 April 2026, the incident occurred on 9 June 2024 at a three-storey semi-detached house with a swimming pool accessible from the car porch.

At approximately 12.51pm, CCTV footage showed the toddler leaving the house through an unlocked main door and heading towards the pool. At around 12.55pm, he entered the water, appeared to struggle, and became unresponsive.

The child had been playing on the first floor while other family members were elsewhere in the house.

His mother testified that she became concerned when the home suddenly fell silent. After searching across multiple floors, she found the child face down in the pool.

The father responded to her cries, pulled the child from the water, and immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The child vomited during the process while emergency services were contacted.

SCDF received the emergency call at 1.15pm. Paramedics arrived at the residence at 1.23pm.

The child was transported to hospital at 1.43pm and was pronounced dead at about 4pm despite continued resuscitation efforts.

Disputed delay and bodycam evidence

A central issue during the inquiry was the conduct of a paramedic, Sergeant Muhammad Noor Azwan Abbas, particularly his repeated requests for the child’s birth certificate.

The father testified that three paramedics insisted on obtaining the document before leaving for hospital. He said they indicated they could not proceed without it.

“I begged with them to please send him to the hospital first,” he said, adding that the exchange “dragged for almost seven to eight minutes”.

The paramedic denied making such a requirement during court proceedings. However, body-worn camera footage contradicted this account.

The recordings captured him repeatedly asking, “birth cert, where birth cert, birth cert,” and later stating in the ambulance: “I cannot go until the birth cert is here … I thought you said it is digital.”

The coroner noted that the father sounded visibly distressed during the exchange. The ambulance departed only after a digital copy of the birth certificate was produced.

Coroner findings and communication lapses

State Coroner Adam Nakhoda concluded that the insistence on obtaining the birth certificate was unnecessary in the circumstances.

“Whilst I accept that the additional time… would likely not have materially changed the outcome… I found that the additional time would have caused unnecessary additional distress to the parents,” he said.

The court found no systemic failure in the emergency response. However, it highlighted lapses in judgement that contributed to the family’s distress during a critical moment.

The coroner emphasised that in urgent medical situations, paramedics should exercise flexibility regarding procedural requirements.

Medical evidence and cause of death

Medical evidence presented during the inquiry indicated the child had likely been submerged and not breathing for between 10 and 20 minutes before CPR began.

This significantly reduced the likelihood of survival. The coroner stressed that in drowning cases, prompt initiation of CPR and ventilation is critical.

He found no delay in the dispatch or arrival of emergency services. Paramedics were assessed to have carried out first aid appropriately upon arrival.

SCDF acknowledged that communication during the incident could have been improved. It accepted the coroner’s observation that interactions with the parents could have been calmer and clearer.

Operational procedures and policy clarification

SCDF reiterated that its standard operating procedures require paramedics to prioritise patient care over administrative compliance.

The agency noted that having identification documents such as a birth certificate or identity card can assist medical teams by enabling access to patient history and facilitating continuity of care.

However, it stressed that such requirements should not delay treatment or transport.

“That said, this should not hinder or delay any conveyance or emergency medical treatment that a patient requires, and this is indeed SCDF’s longstanding SOP,” the statement said.

Testimony during the inquiry clarified that patients in emergencies can be admitted to hospital as unidentified individuals if necessary, without documentation.

Experience level and internal audit findings

An internal audit revealed that the paramedic involved had six years of experience and was handling his first paediatric cardiac arrest case.

Auditors found that he remained focused on delivering critical medical interventions but identified areas where judgement and communication could be improved.

The case has prompted renewed attention on how emergency responders balance procedural requirements with urgent care priorities.

The coroner also raised concerns about safety measures at the residence, noting that the swimming pool had “unfettered access” from the car porch.

He urged homeowners with private pools to install effective barriers or ensure constant supervision of young children and non-swimmers.

The incident was described as a devastating loss. The coroner extended condolences to the family.