Rescuers searching for the missing victims on Sungai Penawan in Sabah.
KOTA KINABALU: A man aiding a search and rescue (SAR) operation for two children fell into a river and went missing on Wednesday (April 12).
The 38-year-old was among some villagers assisting the search effort on Sungai Penawan, Kampung Sinsingon in the Sabah interior.
It was earlier reported that a family of five were on board a boat which capsized on Tuesday (April 11).
The 36-year-old father and his five-year-old son managed to reach safety, while the mother, 26, was found drowned and two other children, aged seven and nine, were still missing.
"The second day of the SAR covered 3km.
"The Sook Fire and Rescue station received a report that one of the villagers who participated in the search went missing after falling off into the river at 4pm," said the Fire and Rescue Department spokesman.
In a separate case in Semporna, a fisherman who suffered a seizure fell from his boat around Pulau Menampilik waters early Wednesday.
The Fire and Rescue Department received a report at 9.30am.
The man in his 30s was reportedly out at sea with his wife fishing when the incident happened.
"The Semporna team assisted by the Maritime Department and Sabah Parks personnel conducted a surface search of the area.
"The operation will resume tomorrow (April 13)," said the spokesman.
