20yo man feared drowned after speedboat capsizes in Ulu Sungai Skrang, Betong

Villagers look on as two boats conduct search and rescue (SAR) operations along the river at Tr. Siti Tisak, Ulu Sungai Skrang, Betong, following the disappearance of a 20-year-old man feared drowned.

By DayakDaily Team

BETONG, Feb 19: A 20-year-old man is feared drowned after the speedboat he was testing capsized at Tr. Siti Tisak, Ulu Sungai Skrang here yesterday afternoon.

The victim, identified as Denickles Lesen, was reported missing after witnesses saw him struggling in the water before disappearing from sight at about 3.51pm.

A search and rescue (SAR) operation was launched by the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia Sarawak (Bomba Sarawak) following an emergency call received at 4.12pm. A team from the Betong Fire and Rescue Station arrived at the scene at 4.45pm, about 21 kilometres from the station.

According to Bomba Sarawak, Denickles had been conducting a speedboat test when the boat was believed to have sunk. Despite immediate efforts, the victim could not be located by nightfall.

The SAR operation entered its second day today, beginning at 7.30am under the command of PBK I Abang Muhammad Fhazil Abang Abdul Manaf.

At 8am, a K9 unit led by PBK I Dennis Augustine, together with handler PBK II Jackson Ringkai and sniffer dog Bella, was deployed to the area to assist in the search.

By 9.56am, a coordinated operation involving multiple agencies was carried out, focusing on an open-surface search radius of two kilometres using fire department boats. Two SAR teams were formed, with firefighters and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) searching upstream, while the Civil Defence Force Malaysia (APM) and villagers conducted searches downstream.

Other agencies involved in the operation included the People’s Volunteer Corps Malaysia (RELA) and local villagers, who assisted using five boats.

As of the latest update, the victim has yet to be found and search efforts are ongoing.

Bomba Sarawak urged members of the public to exercise caution when carrying out water activities, especially in river areas with strong currents and unpredictable conditions. — DayakDaily