LUNDU: The three victims of the boat tragedy in Sungai Batang Kayan were described as promising students by SMK Senibong Principal Rosimi Eron.
“We truly feel the loss because these students had the potential to excel in both academics and co-curricular activities,” he said at the victims’ burial ceremony in Kampung Selampit yesterday (Aug 23).
“All three students had the ability to bring recognition to the school as they had represented us at both the school and district levels.”
The 14-year-old Alsma Jithil, 16-year-old Helena Fasha Petrus, and 15-year-old Vilkie Wilson drowned when their boat capsized on Tuesday morning while they were on their way to school.
Rosimi said he received a call from his Senior Assistant (PKM) about the accident at around 6am and immediately rushed to the scene.
He found that some students had been rescued and were being taken to the hospital.
“At that time, I did not know the exact number of passengers, but I knew that 12 of our students were safe, while three were still missing,” he added.
“We prayed that they would be found safely by the fire department, but unfortunately, that was not the case.”
The principal also said that such an incident had never occurred in decades.
The three victims were laid to rest at Kampung Selampit cemetery around 10.44am.
Alsma and Helena were buried side by side according to the Baha’i faith.
Vilkie was buried at around 11.30 am after a service at St. Gregory Catholic Church.
