MIRI: The body of a 32-year-old man who fell into a river from a bridge in Lutong was recovered on Friday morning, bringing a three-day search and rescue operation to a close.
The victim was found at about 7.10am by a water rescue unit, approximately 1.3km downstream from the forward command post and around 1km from the point where he was reported to have entered the river.
His remains were brought to the command post at 7.48am and formally identified by family members shortly after 8am.
The operation, led by the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department , was officially stood down at 8.30am.
The incident was reported at 1.11pm on Wednesday after a passer-by alerted police to a man falling from Jambatan Lutong near Kampung Pangkalan, Jalan Paragon.
Emergency teams reached the scene within minutes and immediately launched a coordinated search of the river.
Search efforts continued into a third day, with a command post established at 7am on Friday for joint briefings with participating agencies.
Rescue boats could not be deployed early in the morning due to low water levels that posed a risk to equipment, prompting teams to adjust tactics and concentrate efforts along the river corridor.
The body was eventually located by the department’s water rescue personnel, marking a decisive breakthrough after prolonged and challenging conditions.
A total of seven firefighters were involved, supported by a fire rescue tender, a four-wheel-drive vehicle and a rescue boat.
The operation also involved personnel from the Polis Diraja Malaysia, the Civil Defence Force, the Ministry of Health and the Sarawak Coast Guard, underscoring the multi-agency nature of the response.
Fire and rescue officials said the operation prioritised safety and coordination amid difficult river conditions. Further matters relating to the death have been handed over to the police for follow-up.
The case has drawn attention locally to the risks posed by river environments and the operational challenges faced by emergency services during extended recovery missions.
