KOTA KINABALU: A 42-year-old skipper died in a water accident involving two boats crashing into each other in Sandakan waters earlier this week.
According to a statement from Sandakan police, they received the report on Tuesday (Sept 19) at 3pm about the incident at Sungai Bungon there.
“A team was sent to the location and found the collision occurred between a passenger boat carrying 12 passengers that came from Pulau Bungon, and a small boat carrying two individuals coming from the opposite direction.
“The two vessels tried to steer to avoid impact but failed, and ended up colliding with each other at a narrow corner of the river, causing both boats to be damaged and capsized.
“The crash caused the skipper of the small boat head injuries that led to his death.
“The rest of those on board the two vessels managed to escape to safety,” said Sandakan acting OCPD Supt Ramasamy Kuppan in a statement issued Thursday (Sept 21).
The remains of the victim have been delivered to Duchess Of Kent Hospital, Sandakan for an autopsy and the case is being investigated under Section 304 A of the Penal Code (causing death by negligence).
