1986/03 - Hotel New World collapse

In the aftermath of the Hotel New World collapse, 120 Squadron responded with one Bell 212 and two UH-1H helicopters to render round-the-clock casualty evacuation for six days. The UH-1Hs were on standby at Farrer Park to airlift casualties to Singapore General Hospital (SGH), and helped save the lives of 17 victims rescued from the rubble.

Farrer Park was the designated evacuation point and operations ran like clockwork.

Survivors who needed urgent treatment were sent to the evacuation point by ambulance.

Survivors were then airlifted to SGH via the UH-1H helicopter within four minutes.

SAF, govt agencies, volunteer groups & public joined forces in Search & Rescue mission.

“It was a very short and sharp affair. The casualties arrived and were brought in almost immediately after start-up. We took off with six on board and, in less than five minutes, were touching down at the SGH helipad.”

CPT Simon Tan, Pilot, 1986 who was one of the UH-1H pilots who airlifted casualties to SGH