The adopted teenage son of Singapore tycoon David Loh Kim Kang collapsed and died during a school trip to Malaysia, it was revealed yesterday.
Darren Loh Ying Xiu, 17, had been helping to build a house in a poor village in Kota Kinabalu when he had a heart attack and lost consciousness on Monday.
The family said in a statement yesterday that attempts were made by the school to resuscitate him on the spot before he was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The fifth-grade student at Anglo Chinese School (International) died of a heart failure and his body was flown back to Singapore on Tuesday night.
Darren was said to have been an avid football fan who had yearned to go on the school's humanitarian project in Borneo.
A total of 13 students and three teachers went on the trip.
Darren was adopted by former stockbroker Mr Loh, 50, who now controls Centurion Properties Group.
A family friend, who declined to be named, told The Straits Times that he and his wife were devastated and broke down when they learnt of their son's death.
"Darren's mother could not stop crying. His parents dote on him a lot even though he was adopted. They are a very closely- knit family and they would go on family holidays at least once a year," said the family friend.
"Darren was a very well-liked boy. Even though he was brought up in a rich family, he was very compassionate, sensible and generous."
A wake is being held at Mount Vernon Sanctuary until tomorrow morning.
