Three students drown in waterfall tragedy
A large crowd watches as recuers look for the missing student
Three students of the Tunku Abdul Rahman University (Utar) drowned after they were swept away by a sudden torrent of water at the Batu Berangkai waterfalls in Kampar.
The incident happened at about 5.30pm Sunday.
The body of James Khor Wan Kai, 20, was found at 9.40pm about 300m from the waterfalls by nearby villagers while that of Yew Shy Jin was found about an hour later by the search and rescue team.
The body of the third student, Yew Ghin Chnieh, 20, was found at 12.05am Monday, about 500m away.
Their bodies have been brought to the Kampar Hospital.
Perak Exco meber Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said the trio had gone to the waterfalls for a swim at about 5pm with another male student.
The large crowd watching the search and rescue operation from the riverbank of Sungai Kinta
James Wan and Ghin Chnieh and the girl, Shy Gin, waded into the water first.
The 22-year old male accountancy student, who declined to be identified told Dr Mah that he had just stepped into the pool when a sudden torrent of water hit them and swept them downstream.
He managed to scramble out of the river with cuts and bruises on his body caused by tumbling over rocks in the fast flowing water.
Villagers said it had rained earlier but had stopped when the students went to the popular picnic spot. Apparently heavy rain was still falling upstream.
The survivor told rescuers that one man pullled out of the river and later took him to the Kampar police station to lodge a report.
This is the second tragedy to occur in the Kampar area in a week.
On Oct 26, a suspension bridge collapsed in Kuala Dipang, about 15km away from Batu Berangkai. Twenty-two schoolchildren who were crossing the bridge were thrown into the river.
Three schoolgirls drowned while 19 other pupils were saved.
Published Nov 1 2009
Comments (12)
My regards,
RIP
This is a freak accident.. we can't all live in the attic like you do.
There is no need to clarify anything something "dangerous" to do. A 3 year old kid would even know that playing with fire is "dangerous". So putting it in another way whereby it might be easier for u both to understand, do u see people playing by the sea just right after tsunami incident? Common, its rainy season, and it is well alerted even by one of the victims father that "not to go near any kind of water, be it the sea, a river or waterfalls"
Read more before talk more http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/3/nation/5031766&se c=nation
We are all down to earth, so am I.. but some have to learn things the hard way, some do not! Please don't tell me that a bunch of 20 years old kids can't determine the danger of playing at the waterfall during rainy season, simply ridiculous!
Since what u know is from a reliable source, what makes u think mine isn't? U wanna clarify things, please do so.. I'm more than glad to be able to know more than what the papers actually wrote, so go ahead and prove the media wrong!
Being a friend doesn't mean to defend and cover up every weaknesses of theirs, it's friends like u makes them not noticing the weaknesses of theirs!
Only go to the falls from
late Feb - July (depending on weather)
PS: always check the weather before you go...don't be a hero =)
One of them is my friend too... I surely understand what is the feeling of losing a friend. I even been to the spot there when I was told about this incident...Can you imagine your friend's body is being carried away infront of you? And can you imagine what was my friend's mother reaction when one of the officer shouted that the third body is found? His mother burst into a crying and shouting machine that really breaks everyone's heart...
This was the greatest shock in my life...I really felt so sorry for his mother... It is not an easy job to raise a child...Haiz... Rest in peace friend...
they went there to have some chit chat...i didn't say they are not responsible for their action...if everyone can avoid accidents, accidents wouldn't be happen...on that day, many people went to the area also...they were about to leave the water when sudden gush of water came down...things already happen...so please stop hurting those people who are grieving...we're the friends of the victims...i'm not trying to defend them, but please shows some sympathy to their loved ones...one more thing, things happen for a reason...just take it as a reminder to appreciate people around us & not take things for granted...
Rest in peace friends...Amen...
I went to James's funeral...it was heart-wrenching, seeing family and friends crying...everyone there is grieving, the mum didn't manage to fly back, the dad was smoking every moment, too sad, media was bad, they made his ex-girlfriend to weep in front of his body just for the sake of capturing the photo...many friends do not sleep & eat, for he had brings so much joy & happiness in our life, many keep flashing back those things he did...times spend together...his words...his laughter...his smile...they're unforgettable...
Let's just stop commenting here so they'll rest in peace...
I'm amaze of how good you are, as a friend. I'm sorry for the havoc and mess I had brought up. Just that this happening reminds me of an incident happened on last year 12Sept, I once had a friend whom suicide in Malacca sea, a MMU student, a dearly friend of mine.. Well, I'm sure your compassionate care and love will reach the heaven, touching their souls. It's the love for them, that leaves us scars in our heart, aching on how they left us, and warmth us with the memories of them being part of our journey. I'm sure that they will always be remembered, deep down in our heart...