MIRI: The body of a 53-year-old man, who was reported missing after he was believed to have drowned in a river in Ulu Baram, was found about 2km from where he was last seen.
Jonny Usat’s remains were found by villagers from Long Tungan at about 8.20 am, two days after he was reported missing following the incident at Long Moh on Wednesday afternoon.
The discovery was immediately reported to the police and Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) personnel at the search operation’s staging point.
Firefighters and police officers proceeded to the location and confirmed the discovery at about 9 am.
The body was recovered and taken to the village, where Jonny’s family formally identified him.
The search involved Bomba Marudi, the police, RELA, medical personnel and about 70 villagers from Long Moh and nearby settlements.
Local villagers played a key role in the operation, deploying around 40 boats to search the river and surrounding areas.
The Bomba team, led by operations commander PPgB Jessbent Jenus, had travelled about 340km from Marudi to reach the remote location.
Despite the recovery, the operation had not been formally closed as of this afternoon, pending the cause of death report from the Long Moh health clinic.
Bomba and police personnel remained at Long Moh to coordinate the final search and rescue report, with the operation expected to be formally concluded later today.
The Bomba team is expected to return to Marudi tomorrow due to access difficulties along the route. A bridge on the main road at Long Suling was reportedly close to collapse and could not be safely crossed by vehicles pending repair works.
The case has been handed over to the police for further action.
