31-5-2024 (SINGAPORE) A night of underage drinking at the renowned Marina Bay Sands (MBS) Hotel took a devastating turn, resulting in the tragic loss of a 16-year-old international school student’s life. The distressing incident unfolded in the early hours of August 10, 2023, after the student, Gao Yuye, fell from a hotel room balcony, casting a somber shadow over the city-state’s vibrant nightlife scene.
According to a coroner’s inquiry convened to investigate the circumstances surrounding Gao’s death, the young student had been drinking at the upscale Ce La Vi club within the MBS premises, despite being underage. The findings, dated May 17, revealed a series of events that culminated in an unfathomable tragedy.
Hailing from China and studying in Singapore with his sister, Gao had been staying at the MBS Hotel with his family during a school holiday. On the fateful night of August 9, his mother had returned to their apartment with his grandmother, leaving the siblings to their own devices at the hotel.
Disregarding age restrictions, Gao, his sister, and her boyfriend visited Ce La Vi, where they were able to purchase alcohol without proper identification checks. Gao consumed at least one glass of beer and six other alcoholic drinks, ranging from shots to cocktails, setting the stage for the subsequent events.
Around 12:52 a.m. on August 10, security personnel at the bar found Gao lying face down in a pool of vomit, prompting them to notify the authorities. Despite attempts to rouse and sober him up, Gao remained highly intoxicated and unresponsive.
In a misguided attempt to assist, security officers searched Gao’s belongings, found his hotel key card and student identification, and decided to escort him back to his room. However, upon arrival, they were unable to gain entry, leading them to seek assistance from MBS security.
Distressing footage captured Gao’s increasingly agitated state as he was wheeled through the hotel premises, culminating in a call for paramedic support around 2:47 a.m. Gao, now reportedly “sobered up,” agreed to retrieve his identification documents from his room when police officers arrived at 3:22 a.m.
Tragically, less than a minute after entering the room, a security guard heard a loud sound and found Gao lying on the ground. Evidence suggested that he had climbed over the balcony railing on his own accord, though the coroner acknowledged that the intent behind this act remains shrouded in mystery.
The coroner’s report emphasized the absence of any foul play or mistreatment by authorities, as well as a lack of prior indications of suicidal ideation from Gao. However, the inquiry shed light on the concerning practice of underage drinking at Ce La Vi, resulting in the establishment being charged and fined for allowing liquor consumption by a minor.
