Mom‑In‑Everything Heroism Unexpected Tragedy at Marsiling Park
When a 38‑year‑old jogger, Ms Loke Xiao Li, found herself face‑to‑face with a 20‑meter‑tall Araucaria tree on February 18, 2021, the only thing folks could rely on was quick thinking—and the sheer will of a brave couple.
What Happened? The Trails, The Turn, The Fall
- Running scene: Ms Loke was sprinting in a white tee along the park’s footpath when a sudden snap sent her dream of a morning run into a nightmare.
- The tree finale: The massive Araucaria—no small twig—took a swooping plunge straight onto her.
- Immediate response: A couple, later named Mr Faisal and his wife, were the first on the scene. They tried to pry the tree away, but the force of the hardwood was simply too much.
Enter the Emergency Squad
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) kicked in, using cutting tools to try and free Ms Loke, but she was already too badly crushed. A paramedic declared her dead upon arrival.
Coroner’s Inquiry: The Final Curtain Call
This pain‑filled week ended on Friday with a coroner’s hearing led by State Coroner Adam Nakhoda. The courtroom was set for a final look at Ms Loke’s last moments—thanks to a stunning record from a traffic camera that captured her sprinting and turning right before the tree spill.
A Witness: Assistant Superintendent Muhammad Tajuddin
ASP Tajuddin, who first took the case, testified that the couple really tried to give the tree a lift, but, humorously, even that fell flat (no pun intended). He joined as a witness via the coroner’s lineup, ensuring every story corner was covered.
In the end, though the couple failed a heroic move, their prompt arrival was a testament to people‑first thinking—an unflinching reminder that heartaches can sometimes be woven with quick‑think heroics. The park may look ordinary now, but this episode will linger in the headlines and in the very fabric of the community for years to come.
<img alt="" data-caption="Ms Loke Xiao Li was wearing her earbuds and listening to music during her run when a tree fell on her and killed her in Marsiling Park last February.
PHOTO: Facebook/Hilmi Jamil, The Straits Times” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”55291216-190a-4a49-a241-a07ae9c69a28″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/151022_women_st.jpg”/>
A Rumble in the Trees: When Termites Took a Toll
At the crack of dawn, ASP Tajuddin confirmed that nobody had captured the whole drama on camera—no extra footage, no hidden video. The SCDF copters and the police swarmed to the chaos spot around 8:16 am, arriving in about five minutes.
Enter the Tree Vanishing Act
- Rick Thomas, a seasoned arborist of ArborCulture, was summoned as a witness.
- He declared termites the culprit, after a close inspection of the fallen Araucaria excelsa.
- With 35 years in the trade, this was the first time Rick had seen such a treeshake.
The ‘Inside-Out’ Menace
Oh Cheow Sheng, NParks’ streetscape guru, dropped a mic‑drop at the start of the coroner’s inquiry: “It was the termites, and they started sneaking in from the ground.”
Ironically, the 2020 NParks visual survey found the tree looking perfectly peachy—no visible red flags. But the termites had secretly shredded the timber to a whisper‑thin strip.
Why the Tree Went Out the Window
Rick summed it up: “Everything we need was the shove from gravity or wind. Think of it as a limp friend that finally gives in.”
He admitted that his analysis, like any tree‑recon, could miss hidden fractures or decayed cores that only show up after the fall.
What’s Next? & The Final Curtain Call
The grand finale of the inquiry is set for November 11—stay tuned for the cliff‑hangers!
Originally from The Straits Times. Remember to get the green light before you fan it around the globe.
