The 46-year-old was killed when a 20m-long branch fell on him at about 10am yesterday at the prestigious Pyramid Club in Goodwood Hill.

The contract worker for landscaping firm Crystalene Product(s) was doing upgrading work there.

His co-worker, Mr Fardullah Hulbaid, 26, heard a 15cm thick branch snap and saw it falling. He shouted a warning to Mr Noordin but it was too late.

'He was standing nearest to the tree and could not run in time. After the branch hit him, blood came out from his mouth,' said Mr Fardullah.

The police were alerted and Mr Noordin, who suffered head injuries, was pronounced dead at 10.23am by the paramedics.

Mr Fardullah said it was not windy when the incident occurred and that they were not wearing helmets.

Mr Noordin's wife Besah Abdul Rahaman, 54, said she was getting ready for work when she got a call from the police at around 11.30am.

'I didn't know what to say as I just couldn't believe what had happened,' said the health assistant who works at Changi General Hospital.

The couple were married for 19 years and have two children, aged 15 and 12.

Read the full story in The Sunday Times today.