Woman, maid struck by lightning

KUCHING: A family weekend outing to the popular "Wind Cave" in Bau, 40km from there, yesterday turned tragic and left a 9-year-old girl an orphan.

Jasmine Qistina Imran's mother Norasilah Hashim, 38 and their Indonesia maid, known as Tina, in her 30s, were killed when they were struck by lightning as they walked out of the cave complex at 1.30pm.

Jasmine lost her father to cancer in June last year.

They were heading for their car when they were struck. Jasmine, who was walking ahead, was found unconscious 10m away from where her mother's body was found. The three were rushed to the Bau Hospital but Norsilah and Tina were pronounced dead on the arrival, while Jasmine was transferred to the Kuching Specialist Hospital.

Bau district police chief DSP Vincent Ajeng said Jasmine was lucky as she was found on a wooden bridge and could have drown if she had fallen into the river. Norsilah, a nurse in the Nestle division of Sebor Sarawak, was from Terengganu.

Norsilah's friend, Kamariah Ahmad, 54, was contacted by police after they obtained her number through the deceased's handphone. Kamariah said she was informed of the incident and rushed to Bau where she claimed Norasilah's body.

Police are expected to release to maid's body once the Indonesian Embassy has been notified.

Source: NST newspaper