LIMBANG, Dec 26: A cross-border Brunei and Malaysia search and rescue (SAR) team found the body of missing Bruneian Steven Semuil who vanished while trying to swim across Sg Pandaruan on Christmas eve.
Steven, 23, was feared drowned after he disappeared beneath the water at about 6pm while attempting to swim across the river which divides Brunei from Limbang, Sarawak.
Yesterday, two SAR teams from both countries searched for Steven using water surface method methods within a 4km radius of where he was last seen.
At 10.20am, after discussions with Limbang Police and the Royal Brunei Police Force, it was agreed that the case will be fully handled by Bangar police station, Brunei since the search and rescue was located under Brunei jurisdiction.
The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department(Bomba), police and Civil Defence Force would only aid in the operations.
As the SAR entered its third day today, Malaysian rescuers finally found Steven’s floating body at 2.50pm about 3km away from the last spot he was seen alive.
His body was later handed over to Brunei authorities.
According to Bomba Limbang, after Steven swam across the river for about six metres, he managed to scream to his father-in-law, who was standing on the Limbang side of the river, that he was not going to make it (‘aku tidak dapat lagi’).
He then disappeared from the view of his father-in-law who witnessed the incident. — DayakDaily
