The search and rescue teams make one final push to search for the missing victim.
MARUDI (June 15): The search and rescue (SAR) operation for an Orang Ulu man feared drowned in Sungai Baram was called off on Sunday after eight days.
Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) operation commander Kebing Ngau led teams out to comb the river for Maxwell Laing Michael, 37, from Kampung Long Lama from 9am on Monday.
By 3pm, teams returned to the water one last time to search the Kem Sambas area before finally calling the SAR off at 5pm.
The Bomba operations control centre had received a distress call around 12.30am on June 7, reporting the incident which occurred on the afternoon of June 6.
It was reported that Maxwell’s wife, Susana Apong, was also at the scene when the incident happened. She revealed that they had been bathing in the river at around 3.30pm when Maxwell swam towards the centre of the river.
“Upon reaching midstream, the victim began struggling in the water, waving his hands before submerging and disappearing beneath the surface without resurfacing.
“The incident was witnessed by his wife, child and 15 other residents of Kampung Long Miri.”
