Team: Bundi rescue task challenging

 A TEAM that helped search for and rescue bodies after a vehicle plunged into a river at Imbrum village, Bundi, Madang, has told of the challenging task it faced.

The Ramu NiCo Emergency Response Team travelled to the area last Friday.

There were 12 passengers plus the driver travelling in the vehicle when it went down a 600m slope. They were on their way back from Imbrum.

Kurumbukari mine response team member Stanley Nanua said when they arrived at the scene after three days, the vehicle was completely submerged in the river. 

They believed some bodies were still trapped inside. 

Nanua said they only managed to recover the body of a young male.

“We were sure other bodies were washed down the river but we could not help at the time due to milky colour of the river,” Nanua said.

Graeme Skelton, the registered mines manager at Kurumbukari and emergency response team coordinator Daviel Round thanked the team for their performance.

Skelton said Ramu NiCo understood that some of the team members were related to the accident victims but professionally carried out their assignment.

“You got on with the job in a calm manner and ensured the safety of the team at all times. You have all done extremely well in very difficult circumstances,” he said.