Student missing in Changi waters

A student of SIM Global Education went missing in the waters of Changi, after he went out to sea with a group of windsurfers from the school on Sunday.

The male Singaporean was surfing with a paddle board off the waters of the National Service Resort & Country Club.

The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) said it received a report around 2pm. It launched search and rescue operations, involving two MPA craft, one Police Coast Guard craft, and two small craft from the club. The authority has also issued safety broadcasts to vessels nearby to keep clear of the area and to report any sighting of the student.

Last Sunday night, friends and family kept vigil at the club. They declined to be interviewed.

A spokesman for SIM Global Education, which provides full- and part-time degree as well as diploma courses, said the student belonged to a windsurfing club in school. He was not on official training on Sunday.

The school is providing assistance to the student's family.

This is not the first time a windsurfer has got into trouble here. In 2006, a teacher was struck by lightning, leaving her in a coma for six weeks. In 1998, a windsurfer died after colliding with another surfer.

jianxuan@sph.com.sg

Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.