Swift currents, zero visibility complicates search for longboat collision victim

MUKAH: Swift currents and zero visibility in the river are complicating efforts to look for an elderly man who went missing after two longboats collided in Batang Oya, Dalat on Monday morning (Sept 2).

Dalat district police chief DSP Saga Chunggat said he and an independent commercial diver used scuba diving methods from 2pm in Monday’s search and rescue (SAR) operation to locate longboat helmsman Dos Katek, 81, while local villagers assisting the operation used trawling methods on their longboats.

“Four dives were made to look for the victim but failed. Swift river currents and zero visibility in the water complicated the search,” he told Bernama on Monday night, adding that the search was suspended at 4.30pm and would resume on Tuesday morning (Aug 3).

He said the villagers continued with their search till the evening, adding that they were still waiting for the Sibu Fire and Rescue Station dive team and the Bintulu Marine Police to arrive on Tuesday.

The SAR operation involves teams from the Mukah Fire and Rescue Station, the Civil Defence Force and about 65 villagers using about 40 longboats.

The collision between Dos Katek’s longboat from Kampung Klid heading to Kampung Sua and another longboat from the opposite direction occurred at 7.20am. – Bernama