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THE search and rescue (SAR) operation for Dawellies Luing, 46, who went missing after the pickup truck he was travelling in was swept away by strong river currents in Sungai Sengayan, Ulu Baram, Miri last Sunday, ended in tragedy when his body was found drowned yesterday.
Dawellies, who worked as a Student Management Assistant (PPM) at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Long Jekitan, was discovered around 2pm, approximately seven kilometres from where the incident took place.
A spokesperson from the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department’s Operations Centre (PGO) confirmed that the victim’s body was handed over to the police and transported to Miri Hospital for further action.
With this discovery, both individuals reported missing in the incident around 10pm last Sunday have now been confirmed dead.
Earlier, Dawellies’ daughter, Valerrie Mentie, was found dead on Monday afternoon at 2.20pm. Her body was located on the riverbank, about two kilometres from the site of the accident.
In the incident, a Toyota Hilux single-cab pickup carrying a driver and three passengers attempted to cross the swollen Sungai Sengayan by driving through it.
However, the vehicle was overwhelmed by strong currents and swept away.
Dawellies and his daughter Valerrie were reported missing following the incident. His wife, Litun Ajip, and the driver of the pickup managed to escape to safety. – April 19, 2025
