By DayakDaily Team
KAPIT, Jan 9: A 38-year-old man, Henry Laing Ngau, has been found safe after going missing in the forest near Suau Camp in Baleh since Jan 4.
According to the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Kapit, Henry managed to navigate his way through streams and along the Stapang Gaat riverbank, eventually reaching Rumah Kancin longhouse in Sungai Stapang, Gaat, around 4.30pm yesterday (Jan 8).
Despite minor wounds, he was reported to be in good condition.
The search and rescue (SAR) operation, launched on Jan 6, involved the Bomba’s K9 Unit, other agencies, camp workers, and the victim’s family members.
During the search yesterday, the victim’s underwear was discovered at about 10.45am along a road shoulder in the search area.
At 1.15pm, the second phase of the SAR operation focused on the surrounding area where the item was found, extending 100 metres downstream and upstream. By 2.30pm, the team continued searching the old block area and identified footprints within a five-kilometre radius, but Henry remained unlocated.
At approximately 4.10pm, the SAR team returned to Suau Camp for a debriefing, during which they received information that Henry had safely arrived at Rumah Kancin.
Police subsequently escorted him to Kapit Hospital for a medical check-up and treatment.
Henry was last seen entering the forest on Jan 4 around 9pm. When he failed to return to the camp, a missing person report was lodged, prompting the SAR operation.
According to the Civil Defence Force (APM), Henry had reportedly told his colleagues he heard whispers resembling his parents’ voices calling him from within the forest before venturing inside. — DayakDaily
