SIBU: A search and rescue (SAR) operation is currently underway for a 40-year-old deckhand who is believed to have fallen into the river while boarding a trawler in Tanjung Manis today.
According to the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), they received an emergancy call on the incident at 1:56 am before deploying firefighters from the Tanjung Manis fire station to the scene, located about 5 kilometres away.
“Eyewitnesses reported that the victim was last seen wearing denim shorts and a blue collared shirt and he was believed to be returning to the trawler to rest after spending time with co-workers.
“While descending the jetty to board the vessel, he is thought to have slipped and fallen into the river,” according to a statement.
The man’s co-workers initially attempted to locate him but were unsuccessful.
“They then alerted the security guard, who proceeded to lodge a police report,” it said.
The SAR team commenced a surface search operation at 9:00 am, covering a radius of approximately 1 kilometre from the point the victim was believed to have fallen.
At press time, the deckhand has yet to be found.
