Photo via Facebook
Eight school students in Ranau, Sabah fell about 18 meters from a suspension bridge on Monday night (November 23rd), which collapsed while they were trying to get internet access from a particular spot.
The students, from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Ulu Sugut, had been on the bridge in Kampung Gusi - one of the very few places where villagers can get mobile signal that’s intermittently available after dark.
“The bridge is old — about 10 years old, and there has been on and off repairs but it is rickety. Around eight students had gathered on the one spot — perhaps this is why the bridge gave way,” said Sabah Deputy Chief Minister and Industrial Development Minister, Datuk Joachim Gunsalam.
All eight students, aged between 15 and 18-years-old, are receiving treatment at the Ranau district hospital, and it’s understood that one of the girls even broke bones in her thigh and shin, while a male student suffered spinal injuries.
The rest reportedly picked up minor injuries.
Joachim assured that he was monitoring the student’s medical progress and will ask for allocation from the federal or state government to rebuild the bridge.
“Next week I will go to the village myself to check on the condition of the bridge. I have asked my officers to go to the Prime Minister’s Department to get allocation to rebuild the bridge. The only means of transport now in small boats,” he said.
Photo via Borneo Today
Just so you know, Kampung Gusi is 80km away from the nearest town of Ranau and the journey is a six-hour drive requiring a four-wheel drive vehicle to manoeuvre through its muddy, perilous roads.
We wish the kids a speedy recovery!
by Kyle Roshen Jacob
