Three drown, baby missing

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The car being retrieved from the river yesterday.

TAWAU: Two men and a woman drowned, a baby boy missing while another woman was found safe after the Proton Saga Aeroback car they were travelling in plunged into a river at Mile 9, Kalabakan-Keningau Road on Monday night.

District police chief ACP Awang Besar Dullah yesterday said the dead were identified as driver Riduan bin Abdul, 36, Fatmawati Mustafa, 38, and Najar bin Sabtula, 47.

Fatmawati’s nephew, Mohd Ryan Firdaus, nine months, was reported missing while her sister, Megawati, 30, escaped with minor injuries in the incident which occurred about 8pm.

The victims were travelling back to Mile 38, Kalabakan-Keningau Road after a Hari Raya visit to the driver’s house.

Megawati Mustafa, 30, survived as she was thrown out of the car.

Awang said initial investigation found that the driver did not possess a driving licence and was sending the victims back.

While crossing the bridge, the car went out of control and plunged into the river, he said.

“The three victims died because they were trapped inside the car, while the baby is still missing and  search is being carried out.

“The three victims’ bodies were sent to the Tawau Hospital and the doctor on duty confirmed they died due to drowning,” Awang Besar added.

He advised drivers to be more cautious and not to speed, especially when it rains and called on witnesses to help with the investigation.

Earlier, a team of firemen from the Tawau Fire and Rescue Department faced a daunting task extricating the bodies of the victims from the wrecked car due to the swift river currents.

Tawau Fire and Rescue Department chief, Rudy Fredzek said they received a call at 8.16 pm and arrived at the scene at 10.06pm.

“We faced difficulties as the river currents were swift and had to cut open a door to facilitate rescuers to remove the bodies.

“We were also assisted by Umas volunteer fire personnel, police and the Umas Felda Clinic staff,” he said.