Penang dragon boat tragedy - 2 dead, 4 missing

It is a tragic sight. Four youths age 16 to 17 years old are still missing after the dragon boat they were rowing capsized off the shore of Leboh McCallum in Penang early Sunday morning. One of them, Jason Chng from Chung Ling school and their teacher who is the trainer were drown. The bodies were found by the rescue team.

The parents and relatives of the other four missing young men are frantic, hysterical and traumatized. One of the mothers was seen treated by the doctor and sent away in an ambulance. They are still awaiting news on the whereabout of their sons.

Divers stopped the search mission around 7 pm as it was too dark to dive in murky waters. They will continue searching at 8 am on Monday morning. However, surface search will continue through the night.

CJ Chan Lilian who was at the scene met one of her sons school counselor who is also part of the dragon boat team committee in Penang. CJ Lilian understood the school children have used the seas off McCallum to train for several years already as it is conveniently located.




Another thing is, the area where these rowers go for their training is more like a broken shipyard with huge metals structures. It certainly is not an ideal place for school youths to venture into due to the dangers. CJ Lilian hopes the Education Ministry, school authorities, dragon boat committee and the Penang State Government will come together to provide better facilities for this water sport.
Music by : Kevin McLeod

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• dragon
• boat

[5xmom]

Please note that all the missing youths were found drown. Their bodies were discovered on 18 Jan 2010 at various locations.

[rinnali]

I believe that God had a plan for them. They were chosen because God thought they were ready to return home. They didn't die blindly. Although it brought much hurt to everyone, although it was unfair, it taught everyone a lesson.. God bless and R.I.P.

[ng546]

To see it positively, just take this as a strong lesson to all school units.

[MMbeibei]

rip

[nowonder8187]

Are there actually any divers sent off to search for victims under water?

Certainly this becomes a lesson where all clubs and societies should learn.

Safety is the primary concern for all activities, not only water, but also fire etc...

Before each activity is carried out, safety check should be done. I think most of the people miss this.The Ministry of Education shouldn't blame the school as well. They should have offered better facilities to all schools to prevent accidents from happening.

[aykeat1]

sad...haizz

[analea1402]

@gf2468  actually for me the location, the location wasnt safety non of the clubs in penang train there, only their team or club, cos others train in penang water sports for canoe, sailing n dragon boating, and in teluk bahang dam.

[analea1402]

so future safety, location, life jacket, swim, n all the clubs must have a life safety courses, such as how to swim when strong current or waves. n help others. n also must have a an experienced tekong, its happened b4 in cambodia, 4 singaporean dies, when their tekong tired, cannot control the boat due to strong current n hit the platoon, all the rowers didnt wear life jacket, seems that non of the clubs learned that lesson,

[hazelhalley]

Too young too die... My mum say that if we are good, God will call us and laid to be rest. We cannot do something about it, the only thing that we can do is pray to God.

[xmeganimex]

Its to sad , To sad

[5894yin]

may they all R.I.P...