16th September was a day off for many to enjoy and spend time with family. However, for one family in Cameron Highlands, it was the last time they would spend with one of their members.
A family of four were caught in a landslide in Jalan Sungai Palas, Brinchang yesterday . Although three of them managed to escape, the mother was buried alive.
Shahrul Nizam Nasir, chief of Zone 3 Fire and Rescue Department said they suspect the landslide was triggered by heavy rains. The landslide supposedly hit the victim’s house at about 3pm. They received a distress call at 3:30pm.
“Upon arrival, we saw the house (had) already (been) hit by several uprooted trees due to a landslide,” Shahrul said. “During the incident, there were four people in the house. A woman was buried beneath the rubble and an excavator was used to remove the victim.” According to reports, K. Vijaya (59) was the only one trapped in the house. Her husband and two daughters managed to escape. One of the daughters, aged 29, was injured in the incident.
The search and rescue team finally found her body at the living room area at 5:45pm. “The body was handed over to the police and taken to the Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom Hospital here,” Shahrul stated. He added that firemen were still carrying out a cleanup near the area. The electricity there had also been cut by a team from Tenaga National Berhad.
We pray Vijaya’s family will find peace with her passing. It’s never easy losing someone you love, especially so suddenly.
Sources: New Straits Times, China Press, The Star
