04/07/2025
𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐢𝐝 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝟐𝟔 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞
Samuel Lim Hong Xiang, a young man whose life began with unimaginable trauma, has died at the age of 26—just months after achieving his dream of becoming a speech and language therapist.
Lim captured national attention as a baby when, at just three months old, he was the victim of a horrific acid attack. The assault was carried out by his grandmother’s domestic helper, who poured acid down his throat. The incident left him with severe injuries, particularly to his vocal cords and tongue, and a long road of recovery ahead.
Despite the odds, Lim defied expectations. He not only survived but flourished, dedicating his life to helping others communicate. He earned a master’s degree in speech pathology from the University of Melbourne, a remarkable achievement given the challenges he had overcome.
In early 2025, Lim joined Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities as a speech and language therapist, a role he described as his dream job. His passion was helping children and adults with speech difficulties—something he understood intimately.
But just five months into the role, tragedy struck again. Lim was diagnosed with nose cancer, a rare and aggressive illness. He died on June 28, 2025.
His story—of resilience, compassion, and the will to serve others—has touched many in Singapore and beyond. Tributes have poured in on social media, with former teachers, classmates, and patients remembering him as “inspirational,” “kind-hearted,” and “a fighter.”
