MALUDAM: Strong river current and a log sunk a food aid rescue boat, causing six volunteers to drift away and suffer minor injuries here, yesterday.
Two members of the Betong Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) and four personnel from the Maludam Health Clinic suffered minor injuries after the workboat got stuck in the middle of river en route to Tanjung Baru.
The flood relief efforts were to distribute food aid and conduct health screening for some 200 people living at Rumah Panjang Tuntun, who were unable to leave their homes due to severe downpour and high tides around that area.
Boat driver Hamdan Mahmud said the mission was accomplished despite damages to the Yamaha 15 horsepower motor and two rowers were found missing.
“During the incident, my friend Mohamad Syafiq and I returned from the Rumah Panjang Tuntun, finished the operation to distribute food aid to the victims.
“We suffered minor injuries in the unfortunate mishap,”he said.
Betong District Civil Defence officer Second Lieutenant Desem Samuel confirmed that his team assisted the Betong Divisional Social Welfare Office (PKMB) in delivering 26 sets of basic requirements, including formula milk and disposable diapers from Mercy Malaysia.
