BEAUFORT: A 53-year-old man is feared to have drowned after his boat capsized in Sungai Kampung Batu 64, here, about 6pm, Saturday.
The victim, Mao Sai Bongkok, was said to have been fixing a water pipe along with four others when cables got tangled in the 15hp engine propellers, resulting in the disaster.
Fire and Rescue Station Chief Muhammad Hasbullah Nenggok said they received a distress call at 6.15pm.
“We received the call from the District Police Station. The complainant was the victim’s friend, Okit Kanduong, 72.
“His friends managed to swim to a riverbank near the railroad tracks to avoid being swept away by strong current,” he said.
Hasbullah said the victim was clad in a white shirt and blue shorts while villagers immediately convened to aid in search and rescue efforts.
“As firemen arrived, villagers were told that operations would have to be postponed due to nightfall and would resume Sunday,” he added.
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