SIBU: The body of a dock coolie, identified as Hii Kee Soon, 48, who was feared to have drowned at Pulau Babi here on Saturday, has been found.
According to Fire and Rescue Department Zone 4 chief Andy Alie, the body was found by the public around 8.40 am today.
“The victim’s body was found 9.6 kilometres from the spot he was last seen about 12.10 pm on Saturday.
“The victim was handed over to the police and his family has identified him at the Sibu Hospital,” he said in a statement today.
Hii was reported missing after he fell into the river while loading goods onto the express boats.
The Fire and Rescue Department immediately mounted a search and rescue (SAR) operation after being alerted to the incident but failed to locate his body.
The second day of the SAR operation also was in vain.
The operation resumed this morning.
Hii was featured in an article some time back by New Sarawak Tribune entitled “Sibu’s Disappearing Dock Coolie”
He had worked as a dock coolie at Sibu Wharf Express Boat for more than two decades.
While other dock workers had moved on to different jobs, Hii remained dedicated to his work.
When asked how long he would continue to work as a dock coolie, the father of two smiled and said
“This is a good form of exercise, sitting at home alone is not. So far, I have no plan to quit.”
