First of three missing students found afloat in Sg Kayan

LUNDU: The first of three missing students in the boat capsize tragedy at Sungai Kayan, Kampung Selampit here, has been found today (Aug 21).

A spokesman for the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said that the body belonged to 15-year-old Vilkie Wilson.

His body was spotted afloat in the river by the villagers at 11.58 am, about 10 metres from the search and rescue (SAR) control post.

Rescuers recovered the body and handed it over to the police for further actions.

The search for the remaining two students, identified as 14-year-old Alsma Jithil and 17-year-old Helena Fasha Petrus, is still ongoing.

The body of Vilkie Wilson is being placed in a body bag to be handed over to the police for further action.

Meanwhile, Lundu police chief DSP Damataries Lautin stated that the tragedy is suspected to have occurred due to overloading.

“Preliminary investigation found that the riverboat was carrying 20 passengers, comprising 16 students and four adults including the boat operator, and a motorcycle.

“The wooden boat began capsizing when it reached the middle of the river,” he said.

Of the 16 students, 12 managed to swim to safety while the rest were rescued by villagers nearby.

Damataries added that one of the students was discovered and rescued by the villagers after drifting about 1km away.

Overall, 17 survived the tragedy, two students are still missing and one has been found drowned.