Man dug out of mud after landslide

A father of three from Niami village in Simbai district of Madang almost lost his life in a landslide while he was panning for gold in a nearby river last week.
Niami village councillor Gabi Pai said the man identified as Dorem Malaka, took a 13-year-old boy with him to pan for gold when the landslide occurred.
“When the landslide hit, it buried him completely, crushing his legs and hips and he was unable to move,” Pai said.
“He managed to push his head out of the mud while part of his arms and lower body were still trapped under the mud and he struggled to make his way out.”
Pai said the boy saw what happened and ran to the village and informed the villagers and they went and rescued Malaka at about 6pm.
“We got our torches and went to the site and found him very weak stuck on the mud with his head popping up. We used spades and sticks to clear the mud and stones to take him out.
“We could not take him to Simbai station for immediate medical treatment because Niami is a long distance from Simbai station which takes 13 to 14 hours to walk.
“The weather was bad and it was wet and slippery,” Pai said.
He said they called Governor Jim Kas for help and a helicopter was sent to evacuate Malaka to Modilon General Hospital for treatment.
Madang government project officer Bodger Avang who accompanied the pilot to evacuate Malaka urged the people of Simbai area to take precautions when searching for gold.
He said the landslide was triggered by heavy rains and continuous digging by locals who panned for gold at the nearby site where the accident occurred.