Trio Saves Three People From Drowning During Beach Holiday

SINGAPORE: A beach holiday near Desaru, Johor for two Singaporeans and a Malaysian turned into a dramatic rescue mission, when they helped save three people from drowning without thinking much of their own safety.

A beach holiday ended in tragedy for 17-year-old Richard Rajagopal, after he drowned near a beach at Tanjung Balau, near Desaru.

His six companions, family friends of his father’s, survived thanks to the help of Mohd Syafiq Arsyad Zainul Abidin, Rita Zuhaida Mohd Nazeer, and Siti Aqilah.

Though the three of them are not trained in rescue techniques, they managed to save three out of the six survivors.

Other beach-goers and lifeguards saved the other three.

Rita Zuhaida said: “During the episode itself, we didn’t think of consequences. Our priority was just to save as many lives as possible.

“But on hindsight, we were informed that the nine deaths so far (at that beach), most of the deaths were by the rescuers themselves… And we had the images replaying again and again, when I was being submerged underwater several times. It’s quite traumatic for all of us.”

The first to jump to the rescue was 15-year-old Malaysian national Mohd Syafiq. He is Rita Zuhaida’s nephew, and also the group’s strongest swimmer.

Even though there were many people at the scene, few had enough courage to help because they could see the whirlpool that had formed in the sea.

Mohd Syafiq said: “It’s people’s lives we’re talking about. I cannot forgive myself for just watching people dying in front of me.”

Though the trio is still upset that they didn’t manage to save all seven people, they are glad they made the decision to help.

Mohd Syafiq added: “We managed to save three instead of letting four go away. I’m quite relieved that the other three were saved.”

While the group said they will not stop visiting beaches, they are determined to learn some lifeguarding techniques in case they need to help others again in the future.

-CNA/ac

Channel News Asia