family tragedy

MIRI: Hundreds of friends and relatives came to pay their last respects to four in a family that were killed in a car accident near Marudi two days ago.

Even before the bodies of Ding Wan, his wife Uyang Emang, son 15-year old Gabriel Issac and daughter 11-year old Jacqueline Usun arrived at their home in Taman Tunku crowds of mourners had gathered to wait for their arrival by road from Marudi.

Among those that came were former SIB Sarawak president Reverend Justin Wan, who happened to come from the same longhouse as the deceased, Baram Orang Ulu paramount chief Temenggong Pahang Ding, Long Panai headman Gilbert Ding.

Surviving eldest daughter Beatrice Ding had arrived from Kuala Lumpur earlier. She is taking Business Administration in a college in the capital city. She was seen being comforted by friends from her former school in Miri.

Surviving son, Patrick Wan rushed to Marudi when he heard the news of the tragedy. He is still studying in Form 5 in a secondary school in Miri.

The pastor of SIB Kayan Taman Tunku where the family worship pastor Wan Ajeng said both the late Ding Wan and his wife were active in church work.

“Both of them served as deacons in the church and they were always eager to share their testimony in the church,” said pastor Wan Ajeng.

Most church members described the family as an exemplary family, having the compassion to help others in need.

“This family is a good family. It is such a tragedy. Both of the children that died with the parents are good in their studies, what a loss,” said Wan Jau.

The family were on their way to their longhouse Long Panai in Tutoh-Apoh. Long Panai was only recently accessible by road, and the family were eager to visit their home in the longhouse when they were involved in a self-accident before they could reach Marudi. ENDS.

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Caption: FAMILY PHOTO IN HAPPIER TIME: From left: patrick, Uyang (mother), Jacqueline, Gabriel, Ding (father), Beatrice.