Unexpected incident: The teachers and students after falling in Kampung Lok Kurai in Pulau Gaya.
KOTA KINABALU: Four teachers and two students were injured when a wooden bridge collapsed during a Ziarah Cakna house visit programme in Pulau Gaya, Sabah.
The group, consisting of six teachers and two policemen, was visiting students’ homes on Thursday near Kampung Lok Kurai to address truancy issues.
As they were crossing a section of the bridge, it collapsed, causing the group along with two students who were also on the bridge at the time, to fall onto the sandbank.
The victims were immediately taken to a hospital on the mainland for treatment.
According to Sabah Education director Datuk Raisin Saidi, all victims have been discharged, except for the principal, who remains in stable condition.
“I truly appreciate the noble efforts by the principal and teachers, and it was unfortunate that they ran into this situation, likely caused by the dilapidated state of the wooden bridge.
“I appeal for efforts to repair and maintain the bridges around Pulau Gaya,” he said, adding that the collapsed bridge was located outside the school compound.
Tanjung Aru assemblyman Datuk Junz Wong expressed sadness over the incident as he urged the government to take urgent action.
“Who should be held responsible in such situations?
“Hopefully, the government will act promptly to fix all the damaged bridges in Pulau Gaya to prevent such incidents.
“As the state representative for this area, I hope the government can provide adequate allocations to undertake repairs for the basic infrastructure in all the villages under my constituency,” said Wong, who is also the Parti Warisan vice-president.
