BRIDGE TRAGEDY: Dipang questions that need answers

2009/11/03

S.A.S. , Kuala Lumpur

INVESTIGATIONS into the Kuala Dipang tragedy, in which three pupils drowned in Sungai Kampar after a suspension bridge collapsed, can open up a can of worms.

My first question would be: what were 11-year-olds doing crossing the bridge at 10.30pm?

Should they not have been at their campsite?

Secondly, knowing that there was a downpour that day and the river was flowing rapidly, how could anyone allow the children to cross the bridge at that time of day?

Thirdly, if the area was lighted and teachers were around, I am sure someone would have heard the screams of the children and made an effort to save them.

I heard a report on the radio that investigations into this tragedy only focused on the structure of the bridge. A news report said on the first day, there was a guide to inform pupils and teachers that only seven people could walk on the bridge at any one time. But on the second day, this was not adhered to. Why?

In camping activities, parents leave it to the organisers and schools to care for their children.

Negligence, communication breakdown and flaws in the coordination of the camping activities must be looked into in the inquiry into the Kuala Dipang tragedy.