Mr Yeo said the boating accident and tragedy had been a 'devastating and traumatising' experience for the rest of the rowers. -- ST PHOTO: LIM WUI LIANGNov 26, 2007
By Judith Tan in Phnom Penh
The Straits Times (Singapore)
AS rescuers and army divers searched for the five missing Singaporean national dragon boat rowers, their 17 team-mates were clinging to hopes they would somehow be found or had survived the accident after their boat capsized as it was trying to dock after completing a race at the Cambodia's annual water festival.
'Until yesterday when we received news that their bodies had been found, most of us were clinging to some hopes that there might be a miracle and they could be found alive, or they could have somehow survived,' Mr Yeo Chin Hwei, 27, captain of the 22-strong Singapore team, told The Straits Times in an interview here on Monday morning.
Their hopes were dashed when the body of Mr Chee Wei Cheng, 20, washed out on an island a few kilometres south of where his dragon boat had overturned on Friday afternoon.
Over the next four hours, the bodies of the other four missing young men were recovered, ending a 40-hour search by nearly 200 fishermen, rescue workers and a team from the Singapore Navy's diving unit, who scoured the Tonle Sap river over the weekend.
In a choked voice, Mr Yeo, a trainee teacher at the National Institute of Education, said the boating accident and tragedy had been a 'devastating and traumatising' experience for the rest of the rowers.
'We have been through a near death experience for most of us. It is fearful to relive that experience again but we want to come here to pay our last respects,' said Mr Yeo, fighting back tears as he spoke after the team bade their final farewell to the five dead rowers in a simple ceremony on the pontoon of the Tonle Sap river banks, where the tragedy struck.
He said it was painful for the rowers to return to the accident site, and many of them took it badly. Some sobbed while others huddled together as they burned joss sticks and tossed white and yellow chrysanthemums into the river.
The last three days had been especially traumatic for Mr Yeo himself as he had to relate the accident over and over again to the parents and relatives of the five dead rowers.
'I have to give them the truths of what happened, and provide them the details they wanted to know. It has been rough but that's my responsibility as the captain.'
Mr Yeo had known the five rowers - Mr Chee, Mr Jeremy Goh Tze Xiong, 24, Mr Stephen Loh Soon Ann, 31, Mr Poh Boon San, 27, and Mr Reuben Kee En Rui, 23 - for between one and five years. He and Mr Loh took part in the SEA Games in 2005.
'They were all good guys. They had a promising future. Good friends and good team-mates,' he said, tears flowing down his face.
The 17 rowers had all been in touch with their parents and families and are on the way back to Singapore on Monday. The bodies of the five will be brought back in a Singapore military plane on Monday evening.
Mr Yeo said over the last few days they drew their strengths and support from each other in the team, as well as the Singapore officials, counsellors and their parents.
'They have all been a great help. The parents have been understanding throughout,' he added.
Asked if the accident had given him phobia of rowing, he said: 'I don't know...I haven't given it a thought yet.'
Nhim Vanda of Cambodia's National Disaster Management Committee, said one Cambodian drowned during the weekend races, which draw millions of spectators, holidaymakers and participants to Phnom Penh.
More than 440 boats, including a number of foreign crews, entered this year's races. Ten South-east Asia nations had boats competing in the colourful event.
Accidents are common during the boat races, which involve dragon boats crewed by as many as 70 rowers competing against each other in the sometimes choppy waters in front of Phnom Penh's royal palace.
'Until yesterday when we received news that their bodies had been found, most of us were clinging to some hopes that there might be a miracle and they could be found alive, or they could have somehow survived,' Mr Yeo Chin Hwei, 27, captain of the 22-strong Singapore team, told The Straits Times in an interview here on Monday morning.
Their hopes were dashed when the body of Mr Chee Wei Cheng, 20, washed out on an island a few kilometres south of where his dragon boat had overturned on Friday afternoon.
Over the next four hours, the bodies of the other four missing young men were recovered, ending a 40-hour search by nearly 200 fishermen, rescue workers and a team from the Singapore Navy's diving unit, who scoured the Tonle Sap river over the weekend.
In a choked voice, Mr Yeo, a trainee teacher at the National Institute of Education, said the boating accident and tragedy had been a 'devastating and traumatising' experience for the rest of the rowers.
'We have been through a near death experience for most of us. It is fearful to relive that experience again but we want to come here to pay our last respects,' said Mr Yeo, fighting back tears as he spoke after the team bade their final farewell to the five dead rowers in a simple ceremony on the pontoon of the Tonle Sap river banks, where the tragedy struck.
He said it was painful for the rowers to return to the accident site, and many of them took it badly. Some sobbed while others huddled together as they burned joss sticks and tossed white and yellow chrysanthemums into the river.
The last three days had been especially traumatic for Mr Yeo himself as he had to relate the accident over and over again to the parents and relatives of the five dead rowers.
'I have to give them the truths of what happened, and provide them the details they wanted to know. It has been rough but that's my responsibility as the captain.'
Mr Yeo had known the five rowers - Mr Chee, Mr Jeremy Goh Tze Xiong, 24, Mr Stephen Loh Soon Ann, 31, Mr Poh Boon San, 27, and Mr Reuben Kee En Rui, 23 - for between one and five years. He and Mr Loh took part in the SEA Games in 2005.
'They were all good guys. They had a promising future. Good friends and good team-mates,' he said, tears flowing down his face.
The 17 rowers had all been in touch with their parents and families and are on the way back to Singapore on Monday. The bodies of the five will be brought back in a Singapore military plane on Monday evening.
Mr Yeo said over the last few days they drew their strengths and support from each other in the team, as well as the Singapore officials, counsellors and their parents.
'They have all been a great help. The parents have been understanding throughout,' he added.
Asked if the accident had given him phobia of rowing, he said: 'I don't know...I haven't given it a thought yet.'
Nhim Vanda of Cambodia's National Disaster Management Committee, said one Cambodian drowned during the weekend races, which draw millions of spectators, holidaymakers and participants to Phnom Penh.
More than 440 boats, including a number of foreign crews, entered this year's races. Ten South-east Asia nations had boats competing in the colourful event.
Accidents are common during the boat races, which involve dragon boats crewed by as many as 70 rowers competing against each other in the sometimes choppy waters in front of Phnom Penh's royal palace.
11 comments:
Cambodia has a good reputation of recovery operation-- but notorious reputation with rescue operation. The aftermath: Devastation and tragety.
we must make lifegaurds mandatory from now on forth! And require swimming test. We must prevent these tragedy
It might be that they didn't pray to the 'kru' like the khmer people do. Something in the water.
I am sorry for victims parents,The only thing I can do for you now is to pray for your children. let our father in heaven help their souls and led them to his kingdom.
Remember their souls are alive, They are with our father in heaven and they alway remember you (parents).
I must give credit to the government for its efforts in the rescue and recovery operations. Had not been our swift-response team, numerous lives will be lost.
On behalf of Cambodia, we offer our sincere condolesnces.
You're always welcome to our country.
On behalf of Cambodia, we are sorry that boat racers wern't required to wear lifejackets. What's a shame for a nation.
Well, this is not a communist but a freedom country. You pretty much get to do whatever you want without government constantly on your back like in the US.
11:24 AM: Point well made. I have to completely concur with you there.
Also, remember that fatique played a major role during the race, and, therefore, if you're good swimmer, won't do you any good. Surprisingly, I have not heard anyone brought or address this issue.
Again, our teams did everything humanly possible to save many lives as they could during the rescue operation.
11:24 AM: Point well made. I have to completely concur with you there.
Also, remember that fatique played a major role during the race, and, therefore, if you're good swimmer, won't do you any good. Surprisingly, I have not heard anyone brought or address this issue.
Again, our teams did everything humanly possible to save many lives as they could during the rescue operation.
Again, our sincere condolences to the victims and families and friends.
May God be with you ALWAYS!
MOI
Yes, 12:43, fatigue is a major factor when the current sucking you down below the water, but not when it's just pushed you down stream. It doesn't take much energy to keep your head above water and let the current move you freely, especially for athletes. Thus, these people had suffered a major injury that they can't even come up to the surface, or the swirl current is pulling them down and drown them. It happened a lot in the ocean where good swimmers got caught in the under toe of the big ocean wave. There is almost no escape from it.
2:09 PM: Thanks for bringing up the "Fatigue" factor. Most of the people do not understand, instead rushing into a posibility of collusion.
Again, good point!
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