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Sentosa cable car tragedy: Helicopter co-pilot in rescue mission was only 19
When an oil drilling vessel hit the Sentosa cableway in 1983, two cable cars plunged into the sea. Seven people were killed. The tragedy saw a number of young people called into action.
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RSAF helicopter pilot Benson Tan, then 19, flew one of the two Bell 212s that were used in the rescue operation.
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF BENSON TAN, ST FILE
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SINGAPORE – Mr Benson Tan was at home on Jan 29, 1983, his eyes glued to the television set like any other Saturday night, when the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) helicopter pilot was called back to Sembawang Air Base.
An oil drilling vessel, the Eniwetok, had struck the Sentosa cableway at about 6pm and a number of people were reportedly killed.
