A FATHER and daughter were swept away in a remote river deep in the interior Sarawak this morning as the man attempted to navigate his four-wheel drive vehicle across a section of the river.
The incident happened this morning near Sekolah Kebangsaan Long Jekitan, located about 10 hours from Marudi town.
Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department said the duo have been identified as Dawellie Duing aged 46, who is a school management assistant at SK Long Jekitan and his daughter Vallerie, who is a 9-year -old pupil.
"Our Fire and Rescue station in Marudi received an emergency call on the incident at about noon today, And, according to the initial information, tragedy struck when the man and his nine-year-old daughter were in a four-wheel drive vehicle attempting to cross a section of Sungai Sengayan at Long Jekitan.
"Strong currents swept away the vehicle away while the two were trapped inside,” witnesses said, adding, "The man is a management assistant in SK Long Jeiktan who is in charge of the school children," the department said in a press statement.
Both missing are locals.
It was learns that the Marudi Fire and Rescue station are amidst arranging for search and rescue (SAR) teams to get to the site.
"The journey from Marudi to Long Jekitan will take about 10 hours using a timber route," the department said.
Marudi is about two hours by road from Miri city. Long Jekitan is populated by natives from the Penan and Orang Ulu ethnic groups. – April 14, 2025
