Former STU chief critically injured in road accident

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KUCHING: Former Sarawak Teachers’ Union (STU) president William Ghani Bina was still unconscious and remained in critical condition at the Sarawak General Hospital as of 5pm yesterday, a day after he was hit by a car while crossing a road at Mile 3 here.

Medical personnel attending to Ghani at the scene of the accident on Wednesday.

The 60-year-old, who retired as a teacher last year, is being treated for severe head injuries at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) following the 6.30pm incident.

Ghani was said to have had a meal at the Sungai Maong bazaar and was crossing Jalan Datuk Amar Kalong Ningkan, near the Mile 3 flyover, towards his house at Hua Joo Park when he was struck by a car.

A witness to the incident said the driver of the car – a white Proton Iswara – did not stop but instead got onto the flyover and sped off towards Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce.

Several motorists immediately stopped to assist the former STU president, who was unconscious, by moving him to the road shoulder before calling for an ambulance.

He was subsequently taken to the hospital and admitted into the Red Zone before being warded in the ICU.

Meanwhile, Padawan district police chief Supt Pauzi Bujang confirmed yesterday that the driver involved in the accident lodged a police report over the incident later the same day.

He said the location of the accident fell under the jurisdiction of Padawan police, and that the incident was being investigated.

In the latest development, Ghani’s daughter Serina Lim wrote in her Facebook that the whole incident had taken a new turn with the driver involved in the accident coming to the hospital to apologise.

“It was initially reported as a hit-and-run, but we would like to clarify that the driver concerned came to meet with us and to apologise to us at the hospital.

“We appreciate his courage in doing so, and we forgive him.

This tragedy has affected both families involved, and right now what we need are prayers, love and all the positive energy we can get,” said Lim.

 

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