KUCHING: Twelve persons comprising food delivery riders and bystanders did not hesitate to dive into a seven-foot-deep ditch to rescue a family of four trapped inside their vehicle at Jalan Camar, Petra Jaya.
The accident happened at 9.25pm last Saturday behind Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sakura.
It was reported that the car ended up in the ditch where it turned turtle following an attempt to avoid another vehicle that suddenly entered a nearby intersection.
A group of delivery riders and some passers-by who saw the accident quickly dove into the ditch to rescue the family including two children.
Sarawak Fire Department director Khirudin Drahman praised the quick rescuers whom he called heroes.
“We appreciate and admire all those who did not think twice about jumping into the water, perhaps risking their own lives, to save the family.
“Their swift action as first responders prevented water from entering the car too quickly and in doing so, they managed to rescue a man, a woman and two children.
“We in the Sarawak Fire Department extend our deepest gratitude to these heroes,” he said.
All four accident victims were reported to have suffered slight injuries only but were still traumatised, having realised that had there been nobody there to help them they could have been in greater trouble.
They were immediately taken to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) by the fire department’s emergency medical rescue service (EMRS) unit.
