KOTA BHARU, Nov 26 — A woman drowned while another was rescued after the Proton Saga FLX car they were in was swept away by floodwaters in Kampung Batu 5, Jalan Jedok, Tanah Merah, early today.
A Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said an emergency call was received at 4.13am.
“The victim was found at 7.49am, not far from the spot where the car had been lodged,” he said when contacted.
The spokesman added that the operation involved personnel from the Tanah Merah Fire and Rescue station, and the victim’s body was handed over to the police for further action.
Meanwhile, Tanah Merah police chief Supt Muhd Haki Hasbullah said the police received a call about the incident at 4.10 am, before the victim, Siti Gayah Zakaria, 70, was discovered by members of the public at 7.45am today.
She was found about 120 metres from the location of the incident and was subsequently taken to the Tanah Merah Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
“I would like to remind the public to remain vigilant during the northeast monsoon season, especially when travelling or entering flood-prone areas. Avoid driving through inundated routes or attempting to cross rivers with strong currents.
“The public is also advised to reduce their speed and maintain a safe distance between vehicles when it is raining to prevent accidents. They should also immediately contact the authorities if they witness any dangerous situations or individuals in need of help,” he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Siti Gayah’s daughter Shamila Suzie Basharuddin, 48, said the incident occurred while she and her mother were on their way to Kampung Batu 7 to send her to a relative’s house, as they were worried that their home in Kampung Manal 2 would be affected by rising floodwaters.
“Upon reaching the area, the Proton Saga FLX I was driving went through water that had overflowed onto the road. It was dark, and with only the car’s headlights to guide us, I didnot realise how strong the current was.
"It forcefully spun the car and dragged it along,” she said when contacted today.
Shamila added that the vehicle eventually became lodged in a roadside drain, prompting her mother to exit the car and climb onto the front bonnet for safety.
“Because the current was extremely strong, we held on tightly to the car window, clinging to each other and shouting for help, but no vehicles were passing through the area at the time.
“We were getting weaker. My mother said her legs were cramping and pleaded with me not to let go, but our grip suddenly slipped, and she was swept away by the strong current,” she recalled.
Shamila said she could only scream helplessly as she watched Siti Gayah being carried away. Still clinging to the car window, her cries were eventually heard by members of the public who happened to pass through the area.
