Firemen rescue 45 people stranded after bridge collapse in Kota Marudu

KOTA KINABALU: A makeshift bridge made from a ladder and ropes was used by firemen to rescue 45 people stuck on the wrong side of a river in Kota Marudu on Monday (July 8).

The big group found themselves in a predicament when a water surge damaged and swept away the original bridge at Kolam Batu Gajah, Jalan Tandek Kampung Longob.

The group of 23 men, 15 women and seven children were having a recreational fishing competition at the lake nearby when the incident occurred.

The Fire and Rescue Department received the distress call at 4.11pm and a team of seven from Kota Marudu fire station arrived at 4.30pm.

“They were all brought safely over to the other side of the river.

“The operation was ended at 6.47pm,” said a department spokesman.