KOTA KINABALU, April 29 — Three students on a school camping trip drowned while out trekking at a resort in Membakut, Beaufort near here today.
The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department in a statement here said the victims, Hafiz Hamizan Rahman, 16, Daniel Norman, 16, and Khuzaimi Zakaran, 17, students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Putatan, were found to be in an unconscious state by a teacher at a pool along the trekking route at about 9.30am.
“They were brought to a nearby hospital by first responders but were pronounced dead on arrival,” he said.
He added that a team from the department went to the scene to ensure that there were no other victims.
It is understood that the camping trip involved about 120 students and 30 teachers.
In an immediate reaction, Sabah Education Department director Datuk Maimunah Suhaibul said the Penampang Education Office had given approval for the camping trip but water activities were not to be in the programme.
“I am still waiting for the full report from PPD Penampang. It did not inform us about water activities. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims,” Maimunah told reporters here.
Maimunah said that Ministry of Education had been informed about the tragedy and that the camping trip, which is due to end tomorrow, had been cancelled with immediate effect. — Bernama
