Sibu, Malaysia – June 2, 2025 – A 42-year-old Chinese woman from Shilongmen had a harrowing experience when her car, guided by GPS navigation, plunged into the Rajang River while she was attempting to reach the new Zhuan’an area. Fortunately, both she and her passengers managed to escape unharmed.
The incident occurred around 10 PM on June 1 at the ferry terminal in Paladan, which connects to the Sg. Yuan Ao terminal leading to the west coast. The driver explained to the responding police officers that she was unfamiliar with the Sibu area and relied on her GPS for directions. Unfortunately, the navigation system led her directly into the river.
The woman recounted that it was raining heavily at the time, and visibility was poor due to the lack of streetlights. As she slowed down to navigate the unclear path, her vehicle ended up in the water. Fortunately, the tide was low, and the current was not strong, allowing the car to remain afloat. The driver and her companions were able to open the doors and swim to safety.
After escaping the vehicle, they called the police for assistance. Two officers arrived shortly thereafter to help them. The driver expressed her gratitude for the officers’ support, as they provided comfort while they waited for a tow truck to retrieve the submerged vehicle.
Interestingly, this is not the first incident at this location. On June 1, 2023, a similar accident occurred when a 38-year-old man, also relying on GPS, drove his car into the same river. While he survived, his two passengers tragically went missing and were later confirmed to have drowned.
As authorities investigate the recent incident, they are reminding drivers to exercise caution and be familiar with their routes, especially in adverse weather conditions.Bookmark messageCopy messageExport