A ROUTINE evening by the river turned into tragedy when a 57-year-old man was attacked and dragged away by a crocodile as his teenage son looked on helplessly in Kampung Batu Putih, Kinabatangan, on Friday.
The victim, identified as Rusli Mardin, was believed to have been washing a boat with his 19-year-old son at about 6.30pm when the reptile suddenly attacked and pulled him underwater.
Kinabatangan Fire and Rescue Station chief Suriyadi Darwis said the department received an emergency call at 6.31pm and immediately deployed six firefighters to the scene, located about 30 kilometres from the station.
Based on information provided by the victim's son, Rusli was attacked by a crocodile before disappearing from sight.
"The fire and rescue team conducted search operations at the location using surface water search methods.
"However, we were forced to suspend the operation at 8.45pm as darkness at the scene made the search too dangerous to continue," Suriyadi said.
He said the search and rescue operation would resume today, with further updates to be provided as the operation progresses.
In a new development, the body of a man reported missing after a suspected crocodile attack while washing his boat in Kampung Batu Putih, Kinabatangan, was recovered following a search and rescue operation witnessed by his son.
The victim, identified as Rusli Mardin, 57, was found about 500 metres downstream from the spot where he was believed to have been attacked at around 6.30pm yesterday.
Kinabatangan Fire and Rescue Station Chief Suriyadi Darwis said the victim was discovered by local residents, who alerted the rescue team after finding his body.
“When he was found, the victim’s body was still intact, but there were bite marks on the abdomen and the right side of the neck,” he said.
Firefighters later assisted in bringing the victim from the riverbank to his family home before handing him over to the police for further action.
The incident occurred while Rusli was washing his boat in the river, with his son witnessing the attack and immediately informing authorities, triggering the search operation.
Suriyadi said the search and rescue mission was officially concluded at 8am today after authorities confirmed there were no further safety concerns at the scene.
Police have taken over the case for further investigation. - July 18, 2026
