by Nancy Nais
SRI AMAN, April 23: Search and rescue (SAR) operations for a missing man believed to have been devoured by a crocodile at Sungai Batang Lupar stretched to about five kilometres from where he was last seen.
Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Sri Aman in a statement disclosed the SAR team was divided into six groups, comprising police and Civil Defence Force personnel as well as local villagers.
The firefighters set out as early as 5.30am in order to catch the high tide to enable them to launch their boat.
The groups trawled every stream on the right side of the Batang Lupar within a five-kilometre radius from where the victim was attacked by a crocodile.
The search groups had to take two breaks due to heavy rainfall in the morning.
SAR operations continued in the afternoon with the team moving upstream, followed by another stop at Nanga Sekirau to avoid the low tide.
The victim, Yanha Mahrat, 29, from Lingga went fishing near Kampung Melayu, Tanjung Pijat with his uncle Mohamad Nor Suhaili, 46, and two other friends yesterday afternoon.
Yanha chose to enter deeper in the water, while his friends stood along the riverbank to fish when he suddenly screamed for help before he went under the water.
His friends also said they saw a crocodile appear and maul the victim.
As at 6pm today, the SAR team have yet to locate the victim. — DayakDaily
