Tragedy at the Novotel: A Young Tourist’s Misadventure
Setting the Stage
On the night of May 6, 2017 at Novotel Clarke Quay Singapore, a 23‑year‑old visitor from China found herself embroiled in an unexpected and devastating mishap. She and a few newfound companions decided to unwind with drinks before taking a dip in the hotel’s pool—a decision that tragically led to her drowning.
How the Schedule Took a Wild Detour
According to the mother’s itinerary, the traveler’s journey had started on the evening of May 4:
- May 5 – a day at Universal Studios Singapore followed by a stroll down Orchard Road, ending with dinner at a Jumbo Seafood outlet.
- May 6 – a self‑planned excursion to Little India and Sungei Road, then lunch at Song Fa Bak Kut Teh.
For reasons that remain unclear, she altered her plans at the last minute, opting instead to treat herself to a late‑night visit to Song Fa Bak Kut Teh on the night of May 5. It was there that she crossed paths with a handful of new friends.
New Friends, New Adventures
Among the companions was Mr Cai Zhongru, a Taiwanese fitness trainer with a strong build. Together, they enjoyed at least two bottles of spirits and a solitary pint of beer from Mr Cai himself. The buzz of the drinks put the group in a light‑hearted, yet quite relaxed mood.
From Socializing to Splashes
With the water “just a few steps away,” Ms Fan asked Mr Cai for a quick swim. The pool’s deep end—ranging from 2.5 m to 3.35 m—was a tempting cliff to test. In a moment of carefree enthusiasm, she leapt in, headed straight for the bottom, and unfortunately couldn’t surface again.
The Aftermath
After the sad event, Ms Chen Yan, the mother, found her heart breaking. She expressed that if the night’s spontaneous shifts hadn’t happened, she might not have ventured into the social whirl and would have missed the grim final chapter.
Gifts of Sympathy
Some members of Ms Fan’s group sent a heartfelt condolence and offered $10,000 to the family—a gesture both generous and bittersweet.
Insurance: An Unlucky Choice
Unfortunately, Ms Fan had not secured travel insurance, reflecting a local superstition that purchasing insurance is an omen of bad luck. Consequently, the family’s only real financial safety net was the modest offer from the strangers.
Hotel’s Stance
When Ms Chen’s legal counsel asked the hotel for compensation, the spokesperson warned that no action would be taken until the coroner’s verdict was finalized. Once the water was established as a “misadventure” (due to intoxication), the hotel stood ready to refuse any compensation claim.
Enduring Loss
Having been suddenly struck by the loss of her only child—“an obedient, loving daughter”—Ms Chen is left in a painful limbo, forced to rely on nightly sleeping pills to find a sliver of quiet rest.
A Final Note
In the wake of this tragedy, wanderers might remind themselves that the best adventure is in knowing who you’re spending your night with—especially before you decide to jump into a hotel pool.
