Youth found alive after 5-day Kanowit jungle disappearance

KANOWIT (March 12): A youth reported missing after entering a jungle behind a longhose along Jalan Penyulau/Lukut here last week was found safe on the fifth day of search-and-rescue (SAR) efforts earlier today.

Kanowit police chief DSP Junical Ujal said the 22-year-old was discovered around 11.55am by longhouse residents assisting in the search not far from the SAR outpost.

“He was found in a weakened state but without injuries,” he told The Borneo Post when contacted for an update.

The SAR operation involved the police, Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Force, and longhouse residents.

Previous news reports identified the missing man as Richard Lee Apang, who departed his longhouse last Saturday without carrying any identification documents or his mobile phone.

Following his discovery, the authorities officially ended the SAR operation at 1pm.

Separately, a SAR operation was launched yesterday for a man feared drowned after he failed to return from fishing in Sungai Kanowit at Nanga Sebuloh near Julau.

The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said a distress call was received around 1.50pm regarding the incident at Rumah Gundi involving Geoffrey Senah, 39.

“Initial information indicated that the victim had gone out to cast a net in the river using a boat at about 7am on March 11.

“However, he did not return home and his boat was later found drifting by villagers,” the department said in a statement.

According to Bomba, the victim’s belongings were still found inside the boat, minus the fishing net.

Villagers initially conducted their own search for Geoffrey yesterday but failed to locate him, leading them to contact Bomba for assistance.

Assisting the SAR are police, Civil Defence Force, People’s Volunteer Corps, and longhouse residents.

“The search is being carried out within a 1km-radius of the victim’s last known location,” said Bomba.

The victim had yet to be located as of press time.