OKU Timur, KOTABARI.COM – A tragic accident unfolded on Sunday afternoon (31/12/2023) in Desa Sabalioh, Bunga Mayang District, East OKU Regency, South Sumatra. A black Daihatsu Xenia with license plate BG 1394 FT, carrying a group of villagers from Desa Surau, Muara Jaya District, OKU Regency, veered off the road and plunged into the Komering River.
The vehicle accommodated 10 passengers, all from Desa Surau, including Suryadi Idris (36), the driver, Erma Yunita (36), Amilah (60), Valen (11), Marsela (13), Yansyah (8), Zahkin (6), Yanda (22), Rico (20), and Almiyana (55).
The sequence of events began when the vehicle, intending to celebrate the New Year in Krui, Pesisir Barat Regency, Lampung Province, departed from Desa Surau, carrying an overload of passengers. Upon navigating a bend at Talang Bali Dusun 3 RT 02 Desa Sabalioh, it narrowly avoided a collision with a speeding motorbike approaching from the opposite direction.
In a panicked response, the driver abruptly steered left, causing the vehicle to swerve and roll several times before ending up in the Komering River. Fortunately, bystanders witnessing the incident immediately rallied to rescue those trapped inside the vehicle, displaying a collective effort to aid the victims.
Presently, all the victims are awaiting their families’ arrival from Desa Surau, Muara Jaya, OKU Regency, staying at the residence of the local midwife in Desa Sabalioh. Meanwhile, the damaged vehicle remains tethered within the Komering River to prevent it from sinking deeper.
Confirming the incident, Kompol Adi Safri, the Chief of Police of Martapura, accompanied by IPTU Solehuddin, affirmed the occurrence. While the complete sequence of events is still being compiled for an official report, authorities have confirmed this tragic event.
As of now, further actions regarding the vehicle’s retrieval from the river await directives from the authorities. More information regarding the incident’s chronology and legal proceedings will be provided by the authorities once an official report is released.