By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 28: A 14-year-old boy who was reported missing after being attacked by a crocodile while loading oil palm fruit onto a boat at Sungai Plaie Ulu here was found dead on Tuesday night.
The victim, identified as Mohd Nordin Mohd Othman, 14, from Kampung Pelaik, Ulu Sebuyau, whose body was discovered by villagers at about 8pm on Oct 27, was found within an estimated 800-metre radius of the village jetty.
According to a Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) report, villagers from Kampung Tuba spotted a crocodile believed to be carrying something in its mouth at about 6pm while returning from visiting the victim’s family in Kampung Plaie.
The information was subsequently relayed to other villagers, who returned to the area and found the boy’s body, believed to have been regurgitated by the crocodile.
The victim was identified by his grandfather at the scene.
In an earlier report, bomba said the victim was reported missing on Oct 26 after being snatched by a crocodile while unloading oil palm fruit onto a boat at Sungai Plaie Ulu, Sebuyau. The incident was witnessed by his uncle. The initial search and rescue (SAR) operation began at 10.30am on Oct 27, involving four boats and about 40 personnel from various agencies and members of the public.
The initial search covered a two-kilometre radius upstream and downstream along the river before the search area was extended to five kilometres in the afternoon.
However, no trace of the victim was found during the first day of the operation, which was suspended at 4.30pm and scheduled to resume the following morning.
The operation involved personnel from Bomba, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) and villagers.
Following the discovery, police officers attended the scene and transported the body to Simunjan Hospital for further action.
The SAR operation was officially concluded at 4am on Oct 28. – DayakDaily
