KANOWIT: A local man was swept away by strong currents while his friend survived after their boat, laden with durians, sank in Sungai Kanowit today (Nov 27).
Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Zone 4 Chief Andy Alie reported that the tragic event occurred in front of Rh Andau, Jalan Bukong Jagoi in Bunut, around 9.45 am.
The missing man has been identified as 55-year-old Nabau Antas.
Before the incident, a married couple, who had left their farm by boat, encountered the victims’ durian-laden boat on the same route.
“The victims’ boat then passed the couple’s boat, and shortly after, the couple heard screams for help. They saw the boat that the victim and his friend were on had sunk about 17 metres from the riverbank,” Alie said.
“The witnesses rushed to the boat and managed to save one of the victims, who was clinging to the boat at that time,” he added.
Alie further stated that the survivor, a 72-year-old man, was subsequently taken to the hospital by his children for treatment.
Meanwhile, firefighters from the Kanowit station promptly responded to an emergency call received around 10.50 am and initiated a search and rescue (SAR) operation.
Alie said that the team, along with the police and Civil Defence Force (APM), began the search using surface searching techniques.
As of this writing, the search is still underway, and the victim has not yet been found.
