KOTA KINABALU: Four teachers and two students fell when a wooden bridge collapsed during a house visit programme at a water village in Pulau Gaya, off the Sabah capital, on Wednesday (Oct 23).
Sabah Education director Datuk Raisin Saidin confirmed the incident, saying there were initially six teachers and two policemen in the group who were visiting the homes of students to address the issue of truancy in Kampung Lok Kurai.
While passing the section of the bridge, he said, it suddenly collapsed, causing four teachers, including a principal, to fall. There was no water underneath at the time as the tide was low.
“Coincidentally, two students who were crossing the bridge at the time also fell with them,” he said, when contacted on Friday (Oct 25).
It was understood the victims were then rushed to hospital for treatment on the mainland.
The boat ride from Pulau Gaya to the city takes about 15mins.
When asked about this, Raisin said they had all returned home.
“But the principal has been granted leave but he is stable, I just spoke to him just now.
“I truly appreciate the noble efforts by the principal and teachers but unfortunately they encountered a mishap due to the wooden bridge probably being dilapidated.
“I appeal for efforts to repair and maintain the bridges around Pulau Gaya,” he said, adding the collapsed bridge was located outside the school compound.
Tanjung Aru assemblyman Datuk Junz Wong expressed sadness over the incident, strongly urging the government to take remedial action.
“Hopefully, the government will act promptly to fix all the damaged bridges in Pulau Gaya to prevent similar incidents from reoccurring.
“As the state representative for this area, I hope the government can provide adequate allocations to the assemblyman to undertake repair works of the basic infrastructure in all the villages under my constituency,” said Wong, who is also the Parti Warisan vice-president.
