By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 15: Police have classified the case as a sudden death following the discovery of the body of a 62-year-old man from Bintawa Village, whose vehicle plunged into the river beneath the Tun Salahuddin Bridge on Wednesday (May 14) night.
Kuching District Police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu stated that the preliminary investigations found no elements indicating any criminal act surrounding the incident.
“The case is currently classified as a sudden death as our investigation so far has not revealed any foul play,” he told a press conference which was broadcasted live by Sarawak Edition, held at the search and recovery site today.
Alexson emphasised that investigations into the circumstances leading to the incident are ongoing.
“We will reach out to the victim’s family to determine the actual cause,” he added.
He also urged the public to refrain from unnecessary speculation that could create an unwarranted perception of danger in Kuching.
The incident occurred at around 9pm on Wednesday, when the victim, believed to be driving a 4WD vehicle, reportedly fell into the river. A multi-agency search and rescue operation involving 37 personnel from the police, Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), Civil Defence Force, Marine Police, Sarawak Rivers Board, and the Sarawak Coast Guard was immediately launched.
Despite intensive efforts during the first night, no vehicle or victim was located. The search resumed at 7am today with 53 personnel and was led by the Bomba Sarawak’s diving unit.
At approximately 10am, divers successfully retrieved the body of the victim, a local Chinese man aged 62. His vehicle was also located, and efforts are currently underway to lift it from the river using a crane.
Alexson expressed his gratitude to all agencies involved in the operation, as well as to Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng for assisting with the crane and logistical support.
Wee echoed Alexson’s call for the public to respect the privacy of the victim’s family and avoid circulating videos of the incident.
“We hope people will not circulate videos of the incident. Let the authorities do their job and conduct the investigation properly,” he said. — DayakDaily
