PENAMPANG: An elderly woman, who was rescued when her vehicle was trapped in floods earlier this month, had been surprised to discover that her rescuer was none other than the district's top cop.
Katherine Tsen Kin Lin, 68, expressed her gratitude upon learning that the person who rescued her and carried her through the floodwaters to safety was Superintendent Sammy Newton.
Tsen visited the Penampang district police headquarters today to thank Newton and to express her appreciation to the policemen who had saved her during the flood.
She said she and her family had just returned from Keningau when they became trapped in floodwaters at the Kasigui roundabout.
"The weather was poor throughout our journey home, with many landslides along the Penampang-Keningau Road, which delayed our return," she said today.
She said they arrived in Penampang early in the morning when the roads were flooded.
"Upon reaching Jalan Kasigui, we saw a vehicle stranded by the roadside, but we decided to risk it, especially since we were in a high-riding four-wheel-drive vehicle.
"Unfortunately, when we tried to cross the flooded section, our vehicle was swept aside by the currents, and we couldn't move.
"I was very scared."
She added that shortly after, they were helped by two motorcyclists who helped them out of the vehicle and onto the back of the four-wheel drive.
"They said we should walk to get help, but my legs were in pain.
"The emergency services were unable to reach us immediately because they had to conduct rescue operations in other areas first.
"So I called the Penampang police station, and thankfully, they arrived quickly."
She said it was Newton who had helped and transferred her to a rescue vehicle.
"At the time, I didn't know that the officer who carried me was the Penampang district police chief.
"Upon finding out that he was the district police chief, I was very surprised and touched by his dedication to the community. He protects us from criminals and cares for those in distress."
A photo of her being carried through the floodwaters by Newton had gone viral, with many Netizens praising his concern and expressing admiration for his action.