Border survey team member swept away by strong currents in Ulu Temburong

LAWAS (March 19): A search and rescue (SAR) operation has been launched for a 36-year-old man who was swept away by strong river currents in Ulu Temburong.

The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said Donysius Gabriel Goh, 36, a Lawas Volunteer Fire Brigade member, was part of the Malaysian Survey Team working along the border with Brunei.

According to Bomba, six members of the survey team, who were conducting an international boundary survey operation, departed from their base camp at 4pm on Tuesday and were headed to the Ulu Temburong River area to fish.

At approximately 8.30pm, heavy rain caused the river current to surge dramatically, prompting the group to set up camp at a safer location near the riverbank for the night.

However, as the men attempted to cross the river to reach their identified campsite, Donysius was swept away by the strong current and disappeared from view.

The other team members conducted an initial search around the area, but their efforts proved unsuccessful.

They resumed search efforts on Wednesday at 8.30am, combing a 700-metre radius from the point where the victim was swept away but could not locate him.

The team members arrived at base camp at 11.30am to report the incident and seek further assistance.

SAR operation commander senior fire officer I Alim Gurim said the search area is challenging due to dense jungle, difficult terrain, and a complete lack of communications coverage.

The victim was last seen wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, black trousers, yellow socks, and rubber boots.