SINGAPORE - A sergeant in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) died in a car crash in Johor on Sunday (Oct 25), as he returned from a trip to Malacca with his brother and a friend.

The three were driving along the highway near the Second Link on Sunday (Oct 25) afternoon when the car skidded after a tyre puncture, Chinese evening daily Lianhe Wanbao reported.

Mr Tang Liang Wei, 23, flew out of the car and died at the scene, reported Wanbao, quoting Johor police.

His brother, Mr Tang Xuan Wei, 21, is believed to be the driver.

This was the second tyre puncture they encountered during the drive back. They stopped at Yong Peng earlier to change the right rear tyre.

When the tyre punctured the second time, the car swerved violently and the older Mr Tang was hurled out of the car, suffering serious injuries to his head, Wanbao said.

His younger brother and their friend were unhurt.

It was drizzling and the road was wet, The Straits Times understands.

Mr Tang Liang Wei was a third sergeant in the SAF.

His brother, Xuan Wei, wrote on Facebook on Monday: "Kor kor (elder brother)... You will always be in my heart. I will be strong, for you... please bless us where ever you are. I love you."

In another post, he wrote in Mandarin: "You went with regrets, I will live with guilt."