M
Magoichi Saika
Guest
Tuesday September 28, 2010
Penang Bridge crash survivor thanks rescuers
By FONG KEE SOON
[email protected]
GEORGE TOWN: It was a heartwarming scene at the marine police base in Batu Uban here when Lee Chun Hao met those who rescued him after he was flung into the sea in an accident on the Penang Bridge. Lee hugged his four rescuers when they met at the base yesterday. “I feel very lucky to be alive.
In gratitude: Lee hugging Kpl Vasu at the marine police base in Batu Uban while (from left) Konst Mohd Fazlil Aziz Mokhlas, LKpl Afendi Abu Hussan and Kpl Nor Hazeni Ahmad look on. — K.T GOH/The Star
“I want to thank everyone involved in the rescue, especially the marine police,” said the 17-year-old contract worker. The persistence of the marine police team which set out to look for him probably saved Lee’s life. The team, led by Kpl K. Vasu, was despatched immediately after being informed of the accident at 11.20pm on Sept 19 and it took them about an hour to find Lee.
Marine Police Operations Force Region I commander Asst Comm Zainul Abidin Hasan said they began the search at 11.30pm. “When there was no sign of Lee after 50 minutes, we increased our coverage from the initial 200m to about 400m,” he said. ACP Zainul Abidin said Kpl Vasu heard a faint cry at 12.30am, about 1.5 nautical miles south of the bridge.
“He immediately switched off the boat’s engine and asked his men to try to detect where the sound was coming from. “Three minutes passed before they spotted Lee,” he added. Kpl Vasu said they heard what sounded like someone gasping for air and turned their search lights towards the direction of the sound.
“Lee was drowning with his face just beneath the water surface. “His hands were stretching out of the water as he tried to stay afloat. “We immediately grabbed hold of him and fished him out of the sea. “We covered him with a blanket and hugged him to keep him warm,” he recalled.
He said it was the first time in his 23 years with the force that he had come across a victim who managed to stay alive in the sea until help arrived. “I believe it was Lee’s strong will which helped him pull through. “He also did not panic which helped,” Kpl Vasu added. Lee, who was hospitalised for three days, was still wearing a patch over his right eye yesterday.
He was accompanied by his parents Lee Seow Leang and Yan Gaik Lean, his girlfriend Tan Hszn Yee and some relatives. They brought with them a few bouquets of flowers to give to the rescuers. Lee said the couple, Teh Boh Yi, 19, and Khor Lee Mui, 17, who died in the accident were his close friends since their schooling days.
