River current was swift, says survivor

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KAMPAR: It was a nightmare for Mohamad Amier Amzar Mohd Aspar who had to cling on for his life in the bridge tragedy.

“The moment I heard a loud snap, I grabbed one of the posts of the suspension bridge to cling on for my life. The foundation of the post then gave way and I fell into the river,” said SK Bukit Pekan pupil Mohamad Amier, 12.

He was among the 22 pupils who were thrown into the river after the bridge collapsed during a camping activity at SK Kuala Dipang near here.

Mohd Amier said he was fortunate to be near the riverbank, which enabled him to climb up to higher ground.

He said the pupils had been asked to return to the campsite across the river from the school to get their dishes and cutlery.

He added that the river current was swift as it had rained in the evening.

Another survivor, Mohd Azid Teng, 12, from SKJC Bemban, said he fell into the river but was lucky to be near the riverbank. “I climbed up the riverbank and also helped several other pupils to get out of the river,” he said.

Mohd Azid said several pupils were jumping on the bridge prior to the incident.

Law Chee Hwang, 12, from SJKC Yu Ying, Mambang Diawan, who was not on the bridge when the incident happened, said: “I could only watch in horror as the bridge collapsed. I heard a lot of screaming for help.’’

Mohammad Amier and Mohd Azid Teng were among 19 pupils who were saved.

The camp involved a total of 298 pupils from about 60 schools in the district.