KOTA SAMARAHAN: The search and rescue (SAR) operation on its fourth day last Thursday managed to locate a victim whose body was found trapped inside the four-wheel vehicle. Personnel involved in the SAR operation commenced their search Thursday at 1200hrs when the ride was receeding and the river current going slow.
Also helping during the rescue operation was the Public Works Department (JKR) that provided a lorry with crane stationed on the ferry to lift the submerged vehicle from the river. After being lifted from the river, the 4WD vehicle was removed to the ferry jetty to make it easier in extracting the remains of the victim from the vehicle. Rescue personnel managed to remove the body at 1511hrs and subsequently handed it over to the police for further action.
According to a report from Pusat Gerakan Operasi Bomba Sarawak, SAR operation at the Kota Samarahan Ferry point ended fully at 1520hrs.
The victim was identified as Barnabas Lias Anak Jalal (male), aged 77. TPgB Mashidi Bin Taha the Bomba Samarahan Zone chief was the operation commander. Senior Bomba officials at the scene included PKPgB Jackson Anyie (Head of Kota Samarahan Fire Station); PKPgB Mohd Hairul Izam bin Mazelan and PPgB Mohd Syamil and PPgB Azlan.
SAR operation this time involved two Bomba boats carrying 12 personnel, four army boats with 40 personnel, two Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) boats with 14 personnel, one lorry crane manned by three officials, four ferry operators and five marine police personnel, the report stated.
