LIMBANG: A 64-year-old man who went out to repair his boat was reported missing after it was found capsized in the river near Kuala Sungai in Kampung Long Napir.
The victim, Hendry Sian Tama Sian, remained unaccounted for as search and rescue (SAR) operations began today.
The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said it received the distress call at 12.25 am on Thursday (Feb 26) after villagers discovered the victim’s boat overturned in the middle of the river.
“According to information from the village head, the victim went to the river at about 9 am to repair his boat at the Kuala Sungai area as it was experiencing problems.
“Several villagers spoke to him at about 11.30 am while he was repairing the boat.
“At about 4 pm, a villager named Lester and his younger brother went to the river to cast their nets.
“Upon reaching the middle of the river near Kuala Sungai, they spotted the victim’s boat overturned and returned to the longhouse to inform the village head.
“An initial search was conducted by villagers using boats but the victim was not found,” it said.
Bomba said the location was about 119 kilometres from the Limbang fire station and accessible mainly through gravel roads, resulting in a lengthy journey to the scene.
A three-member team led by PBK II Stanley Liaw arrived at about 11.30 am today.
“A joint briefing was held at 12.15 pm before firefighters began surface search operations downstream at 12.30 pm using villagers’ boats,” it added.
As of press time, the victim remained missing and the SAR operations are ongoing.
