Kota Kinabalu: Tuesday's tragedy where a bus carrying Bruneian tourists slammed into a tree at Km 8.9 at Kg.Kopiringan, along the Ranau-Tamparuli road, claimed a seventh victim when the tour leader died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH1).Hj. Awang Tarsad bin Hj. Damit, 58, succumbed to his injuries at 12.15am on Wednesday. He was among 33 Bruneian tourists aboard the stage bus that was heading to the State Capital here from Tawau before it lost control and slammed into the tree at 3.05pm.
The other six Bruneians who lost their lives - four women and two men - were also senior citizens.
They were Hj. Abdul Manan bin Ishak, 50, and Hjh Hasnah Binti Hj. Yusof, 62, who died on the spot while Pangeran Hjh. Zaharah Binti Pangeran Hj. Zainal, 61, Hjh Dayang Norhayati Binti Hj. Abd Hadi, 61, Hjh Noor Faridah Binti Hj. Husin, 62, and Hj. Abdul Ghani Bin Muhamad, 66, passed away at the Tuaran hospital.
"The 44-seater bus ferried 31 Bruneian tourists and two drivers including a 26-year-old Indian man.
The 31 Bruneian tourists aged between seven and 78 comprised 20 women and 11 men including five children aged between seven and 15.
"Of the figure, seven died, 12 sustained minor injuries, nine seriously injured and four are critically injured," State Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Tan Kok Liang told a press conference at the Sabah Police Contingent, Wednesday. Also present was Tuaran District Police chief DSP Zaharuddin Rasip.
Tan said the Sultan of Brunei dispatched a Royal Brunei Airline (RBA) Airbus with 20 government officials, including two Ministers and a medical team, to collect the bodies. They arrived at Terminal 2 at 1am on Wednesday.
Tan also confirmed that the stage bus had grazed a mini bus at the scene before it crashed into the tree. The mini bus driver, who was heading to Ranau, escaped injury.
The wreckage was sent to Puspakom Sabah to determine if brake failure was the cause. All the seven bodies and some of the Bruneian tourists warded at the QEH 1 returned to Brunei via the RBA plane and Brunei military aircraft.
Members of the Fifth Infantry Brigade at Lok Kawi helped to prepare the bodies as well as perform funeral rites before the bodies were handed over.
Meanwhile Brunei Consul-General here Hj. Daud bin Hj. Tahir, told reporters that two Brunei Ministers and top army brass were among those dispatched to Sabah.
The two ministers were Minister of Finance II under the Prime Minister's Office, Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Hj. Abdul Rahman and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pehin Orang Kaya Pekema Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Hj, Hazair Hj. Abdullah.
"All the seven bodies were on board the RBA plane together with 13 Bruneians who sustained minor injuries and the two ministers as well as senior officials. They departed at 12.30pm.
"Half an hour later, a Brunei military aircraft touched the runway of Terminal 2 to transport some of the injured citizens who can return home," he said.
The military aircraft transported four Bruneians who are seriously injured on the first flight that departed at 2.30pm and another four left at 5pm.
He said one of the stage bus drivers and another Bruneian who are seriously injured would be heading home using the military aircraft that will depart on Wednesday night.
The remaining three still warded at the QEH 1, Daud said comprised two Bruneian tourists who are critically injured and the other stage bus driver who will facilitate police investigations into the tragedy.
Also present at the airport were the top brass of the Fifth Infantry Brigade and Sabah police officials including State Deputy CP Tan.
Daily Express Online-22 December 2011
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