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KOTA KINABALU – A 38-year-old man who was helping to search for a missing girl in a sear-and-rescue operation drowned after he fell into Sg Penawan in Kg Sinsingon, Sapulut, Nabawan.
The victim had joined a group of villagers to volunteer in a search-and-rescue operation, but he slipped and fell into the river on the second day of the operation on Wednesday (April 12).
His body was found by Fire and Rescue Department personnel and villagers today, about 10km from where he fell.
According to Sook Fire and Rescue Department’s statement, the man was helping to locate a victim from a family tragedy that occurred on Tuesday.
A boat carrying a family of five sank, killing a mother, 26, and her son, 9, whose bodies were found the same day.
Her seven-year-old daughter is still missing at press time with the search entering its fourth day today.
The father, 36, and his five-year-old son managed to save themselves and survived.
The statement said the family was returning home when their boat sank due to strong river currents.
Officer Mukim Atah led 12 firemen to the location about 66 km away after receiving a distress call at 1.14 pm.
The search-and-rescue operation launched on the same day was assisted by the Keningau Fire and Rescue Department, the K9 Unit, the police, Civil Defence Department, and villagers. –The Vibes, April 14, 2023
