Tragedy hit the district of Tumpat, on Malaysia’s east coast yesterday, when police and fire officials dredged a submerged Myvi car from a nearby swamp area.
Inside the vehicle they found the body of 50-year-old Thong Hong, who was originally from the area, but had been living in nearby Kota Bharu.
Friends say he would travel often between the two areas, that lie only 15 km apart.
Resident Mohn Faizal Syah Mohamedhad gone to the swampy area at 8am yesterday morning to pick up his fishing trawl in the canal. Peering into the water, he saw what he believed to be a piece of zinc sheet-metal. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was the roof of a car and alerted authorities.
Fire and Rescue arrived on the scene shortly after 1030am, and discovered that there was a trapped body inside the car. The car was finally pulled to the surface at 1130am, with a crowd of onlookers gathering to witness the grizzly spectacle.
Speaking to Sinar Harian, Faizal said that a friend he had spoken to the evening prior had seen the same piece of metal in the water, and waded in to have a better look. The friend told him he felt a side mirror, but quickly left the scene as he was spooked.
Uh – so you mean to tell us that someone ELSE knew there was a car there, and didn’t bother alerting the authorities? Scared or not – poor form, sir.
Meanwhile, an unnamed member of the victim’s family said they last saw him on April 30, two days before the discovery. Having not heard from him, they tried to call his two phones to no avail. Hearing that a car had been discovered, they came rushing to the scene, only to see their loved one’s body being taken to the hospital for an autopsy.
Our thoughts go to Thong Hong’s friends and family. Stay safe everyone.
