By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 17: The 10-day search and rescue (SAR) operation for the 48-year-old helmsman, who was feared drowned at the Batang Lupar ferry jetty near Triso, has been called off due to the absence of any positive signs.
Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Sarawak confirmed today that the SAR operation, initiated since the man went missing on April 8, has concluded after extensive efforts.
Led by Kho Boo Jang of Bomba Saratok Station, the operation involved a collaborative effort with a police team from Lingga and Civil Defence Force (APM) Betong personnel.
Commencing at 9.30am, the search encompassed surface searching, spanning a 10km radius from the point of disappearance to the Batang Lupar river mouth and extending up to Sebuyau.
Despite the thorough efforts spanning 10 days, rescuers encountered no indications of the helmsman’s whereabouts. Consequently, the Sri Aman District Police chief called off the operation at 4pm.
However, the SAR operation remains open to recommencement should any new leads emerge.
The helmsman went missing after descending into the water on April 8 to release a rope entangled in the ferry’s propeller, failing to resurface thereafter. — DayakDaily
