KUCHING – The driver of a four-wheel drive that plunged into Sg Batang Lupar from the Triso ferry jetty, 120km from here, is said to have lost control of the vehicle before it slipped into the river, killing all nine people inside.
Sri Aman district police chief Bingkok John told Bernama last night that the Ford Ranger driven by Ronany Ting, 33, was on the way to the Sarawak capital from Kapit via Jalan Beladin-Meludam.
“We believe that the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer and slide into the river.”
He said people in the jetty area used iron chains and ropes to tie the vehicle, preventing it from sinking further, before removing the victims.
The nine were confirmed dead at the Beladin clinic, and the bodies will undergo a post-mortem at Sri Aman Hospital.
The Sri Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division is carrying out an investigation, said Bingkok.
Besides Ronany, those killed in the 3pm incident yesterday were Siti Aisha Abdullah, 36; Nor Shuhada Mohamad, 16; Khairunnisa Muhamad, 14; Alvin Phang, 12; Wallace Phang and Mohd Aiman Mohd Hamdan, both 7; Muhd Mustaqim Mohd Hamdan, 5; and, Mohd Ahmad Mohd Hamdan, 4 months.
Batang Lupar MP Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim conveyed her condolences to the victims’ families.
She said one of her representatives met the family members at the Beladin clinic before ambulances arrived to take the bodies to Sri Aman Hospital.
“I hope all Triso ferry users will be careful in their travels, especially those undertaking long trips. Always prioritise your and your family’s safety,” she said in a statement. – Bernama, January 2, 2021
