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Cave flood: Dutchman dead, guide missing

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Hovenkamp’s remains being brought out of a Bomba Air Unit helicopter upon arrival at Miri Hospital helipad.

MIRI: The Bomba Air Unit helicopter carrying the remains of a Dutch tourist landed at Miri Hospital helipad at 4.30pm yesterday.

The helicopter was part of the Mulu search and rescue (SAR) operation mounted to when a distress call was made at 6pm Friday of an incident at the Mulu National Park.

Sixteen firemen from Miri and Marudi fire stations led by Miri Fire and Rescue Department chief Supt Law Poh Kiong flew out to Mulu at daybreak.

By 6.40am yesterday the body of Peter Hovenkamp, 66, was recovered from inside the Gua Rusa (Deer Cave) at the Mulu National Park.

It was believed that Hovenkamp was swept away by strong water currents when a flash flood occurred inside the cave.

However, a local tourist guide, 20-year-old Roviezal Robin, is still missing.

The SAR operation was called off at 3.22pm yesterday due to bad weather at the Mulu National Park.

Prior to the incident, a group of nine tourists led by one local guide entered Gua Rusa on Friday when a flash flood suddenly occurred inside the cave.

In the ensuing commotion, Peter was swept away by the strong water currents.

When the water had subsided, Roviezal was still missing while the other tourists were safe.

Hovenkamp’s remains being brought out of a Bomba Air Unit helicopter upon arrival at Miri Hospital helipad.

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