Tragedy strikes van crossing river
Published on: Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Kota Kinabalu: An Indonesian woman became the first casualty of the current inclement weather when the van she was travelling in with nine Japanese tourists was swept away by strong currents while crossing the Sungai Kg Lingan Lama in Kabang, Papar, Sunday night.The 34-year-old sustained serious injuries when she was pinned under the van in the 8.23pm incident and was pronounced dead at 11pm at the Papar Hospital, according to APM (Civil Defence Force). A team from the Civil Defence Force was deployed to the scene after being alerted by Papar for assistance in helping the trapped victims out of the vehicle.
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It took the team about one hour and 20 minutes to arrive at the scene which was by then only accessible to heavy vehicles due to rain which caused the route to be submerged. It was believed that the woman was working for a non-governmental organisation and was returning home with the Japanese tourists and van driver from a church outing. It was learnt that they were travelling in a convoy comprising two vans and a four-wheel-drive and were crossing the river when strong currents swept their van off the path. The nine tourists aged between eight and 22 received outpatient treatment at the hospital on Monday.
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The 26-year-old van driver was detained to facilitate investigations. The Meteorological Department today issued a warning of widespread thunderstorm this afternoon with strong winds up to 50kph and rough seas with waves of up to 3.5m.
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Elsewhere, the State Education Department recorded nine schools in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Tuaran affected by flash floods as at 9pm. Five of the schools in Kota Kinabalu are SK Darau, SK Rampayan, SK Gudon, SK Kitobu and SMK Tun Fuad, one in Penampang namely SK Sugud and three in Tuaran, SK Lapotung, SK Rungus and SJKC Chung Hwa, in Tenghilan. The department was still gathering updates on schools affected by floods across the State as at press time. Twenty-two SK Darau pupils in Manggatal were stranded for several hours. The water level was between one and two feet deep, with several routes inaccessible to smaller vehicles following heavy downpour. The pupils from the evening session were accompanied by two teachers while taking shelter on the first floor of the school premises."As of 9pm, all the pupils in the school were taken by their parents," said State Education Director Datuk Maimunah Suhaibul. She said food assistance was provided by the school canteen. Uprooted trees were reported along Jalan Kokol, Jalan Pintas Ujana, Jalan Istana and Jalan Bukit Bendera causing further congestion to motorists. At least one landslide was also reported at Jalan Tunku Abd Rahman towards Karamunsing in front of SJKC Chung Hwa. A bridge over a monsoon drain at Jalan Kodundungan, Kepayan, collapsed.The bridge provides Kepayan residents, especially those staying at CyberCity Apartment phases 1 and 2 in the vicinity, an alternative route to Penampang.In Penampang, oppostion Warisan Sabah Assemblyman for Moyog, Terrence Siambun accused the District Council of being indefferent to complaints from Kampung Kibabaig residents over poorly maintained drains.Flash floods hit particularly in Taman Country Shangri-la, on Friday and again on Sunday, and water levels did not start receding until almost 24 hours later.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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