By Asha Popatlal
Channel NewsAsia (Singapore)
SINGAPORE: A Channel NewsAsia viewer who was at the scene of the dragon boat accident in Cambodia on Friday evening gave an eyewitness account.
Mr Joey Paraiso, who was in Cambodia to cheer the Filipino team, also sent Channel NewsAsia a series of photos of the accident and subsequent rescue efforts.
The Singapore boat capsized as the 22 men were rowing back to the starting line at the end of the 1.5-kilometre Cambodia-ASEAN Traditional Boat Race.
Five men are missing after the incident, all members of the new national dragon boat team that was formed about a year ago.
Mr Paraiso recounted what he saw.
He said: ''What I witnessed was the Singaporean team had already finished the race and was starting back to the point......for them to disembark.
"Unfortunately, during the time team players (were) getting off from the boat, the boat suddenly shook off and overturned. It happened so quickly."
He added: "The remaining players, the Singapore rowers, one by one floated and saved themselves and there were some railings that they were able to hold on.....
"All the players, I guess, were a little over-fatigued so they were not able to swim normally, so they just looked for something to hang on and the current was a bit strong.
"All the rescued players were able to meet on the platform and to account for those missing."
"All the people watching that incident were shocked, so (there was) a little commotion and panic all around the area," he added.
Mr Joey Paraiso, who was in Cambodia to cheer the Filipino team, also sent Channel NewsAsia a series of photos of the accident and subsequent rescue efforts.
The Singapore boat capsized as the 22 men were rowing back to the starting line at the end of the 1.5-kilometre Cambodia-ASEAN Traditional Boat Race.
Five men are missing after the incident, all members of the new national dragon boat team that was formed about a year ago.
Mr Paraiso recounted what he saw.
He said: ''What I witnessed was the Singaporean team had already finished the race and was starting back to the point......for them to disembark.
"Unfortunately, during the time team players (were) getting off from the boat, the boat suddenly shook off and overturned. It happened so quickly."
He added: "The remaining players, the Singapore rowers, one by one floated and saved themselves and there were some railings that they were able to hold on.....
"All the players, I guess, were a little over-fatigued so they were not able to swim normally, so they just looked for something to hang on and the current was a bit strong.
"All the rescued players were able to meet on the platform and to account for those missing."
"All the people watching that incident were shocked, so (there was) a little commotion and panic all around the area," he added.
4 comments:
Now I am confused. One article mention about the boat ran in to a swirl current, and this witness said it happened when the boater were getting off the boat. I can't see a possibilities that someone slip and caused to boat to rock and start oscillate, and as the 20+ boaters try to balance themselves they caused the oscillation to increase until it overturned, just my guess, but I will look for the photo of the scene later.
Correction:
Now I am confused. One article mention about the boat ran in to a swirl current, and this witness said it happened when the boaters were getting off the boat. I can see a possibilities that someone slip and caused to boat to rock and start to oscillate, and as the 20+ boaters try to balance themselves they caused the oscillation to increase until it overturned. This is just my quick guess though, but I will tried to look for the photo of the scene later as it will become available.
Oh, and I would so check the bodies to see if there is evidence of head, arm or leg injury that disabling them from swim to the surface.
Foreigners: Please DO stay away from Cambodia whether business or pleasure, because your personal safety is not assured.
Had these five ill-fated Singaporian rowers assured, their lives have not been lost worthlessly in a foreign country.
The Cambodian government launched rescue operation JUST to save face.
Yes, reality hurts.
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