KOTA SAMARAHAN – A routine drive turned tragic this morning when a car carrying a mother and her children skidded and plunged into a lake near the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) roundabout. The driver, identified as 50-year-old Nur Shareefah Lusia Abdullah, sadly lost her life in the incident.
Kota Samarahan District Police Chief, Superintendent Damataries Launtin, confirmed the tragedy in a statement. He said that the victim was travelling from Desa Ilmu towards Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Muara Tuang using a road that passes through the Unimas campus area.
“Initial investigations found that the vehicle, driven by the victim, had briefly stopped on a grassy patch at the roadside near the Unimas roundabout. It is believed that the car then lost control and suddenly skidded into the adjacent lake,” he said.
The victim’s 17-year-old daughter, Nur Badrina Saharidan, who was also in the vehicle at the time, miraculously survived the crash. She was rescued by members of the public who rushed to the scene after witnessing the incident.
It was also revealed that the victim’s son, a person with disabilities, was in the car but escaped unhurt.
Nur Shareefah Lusia was rushed to the Unimas Prima Health Centre where she was pronounced dead at 11.51am while receiving emergency treatment. Her remains have been transferred to the Sarawak General Hospital Forensic Unit for a post-mortem examination.
The case is currently being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death by reckless or dangerous driving.
This incident has left the local community in shock and mourning, especially those close to the family. Authorities are urging motorists to be cautious, especially when driving near water bodies or in high-risk zones.
