Posted on 12/29/2004 1:11:51 AM PST by nickcarraway
KUALA LUMPUR: An early warning system modelled on that used by lifeguards in the US television series Baywatch helped save the lives of tourists on Malaysia's island of Penang when massive tidal waves swept across much of Asia, local media reporte d on Wednesday.
Lifeguards at the Baywatch tower in front of Shangri-la's Golden Sands Resort in popular Batu Feringghi, which was hard-hit by the tidal waves, noticed rough and choppy waters around noon on Sunday, said Malaysian Association of Hotels spokesman Suleiman Tunku Abdul Rahman.
"They raised a red flag to warn the people that the beach was not safe, following which all beachfront hotels warned their guests to keep away from the beach and stop all activities there," he was quoted as saying by The Star.
"So, when it happened, most of the guests were far from the beaches," he said.
"The watch tower has proven to be effective as there were no reports of casualties by hotels along the Batu Ferringhi beach area during the tidal waves," state tourism and environment committee chairman Teng Chang Yeow was quoted as saying.
At least 65 people were killed in Malaysia by huge tidal waves triggered by a massive earthquake off the Indonesian coast on Sunday, with 50 dead in the island of Penang.
There's something to said for hunky lifeguards and beautiful girls out to save your sorry hide. :)
And who would've thought it was because of something that came from an American series with great looking people that ran in slow motion and couldn't act?
The spread of American culture saves lives...I love it.
Bump.
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