SEBUYAU: A ferry helmsman has been reported missing after attempting to release a rope entangled in the ferry’s propeller of the Batang Lupar Ferry, Jalan Sebuyau, on Monday (Apr 8).
The missing man is 48-year-old Lin Jarak.
At around 2.45 pm, Lin, accompanied by three crewmates, ventured into the river to disentangle a rope from the ferry’s propeller. At that time, the water was chin-deep.
After diving into the water, Lin did not resurface, presumably due to the rising tide and strong currents.
Despite the crewmates’ search efforts, they were unable to find Lin, prompting them to seek assistance from the authorities.
Firefighters from the Saratok station, located about 98 km away, were dispatched to the scene following an emergency call received at 4.35 pm.
Upon their arrival, the search and rescue (SAR) operation launched, involving the police, the Civil Defence Force (APM) Betong, and the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela).
The search on the following day (Apr 9) covered a 2 km radius.
As of this writing, Lin remains missing.
