Firemen during the search and rescue operation at Kg Bilit, along the Kinabatangan River.
KOTA KINABALU: The body of a man, believed to have been attacked by a crocodile after his boat capsized on the Kinabatangan River, has been recovered by villagers in Kampung Bilit along the riverbank on Friday (Dec 27).
Kinabatangan fire station chief Nurul Azlan Shah Jamalludin said the body of 40-year-old Masdi Sahar was found about 1km downstream from where the incident occurred at about 1am on Thursday (Dec 26).
Masdi's body was handed over to police for further investigation.
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He was with three others on a boat loaded with belian wood from an unspecified location along the river when the vessel collided with an unknown object.
"The boat began to sink and three of those on board managed to swim to the riverbank.
"They heard Masdi screaming for help, saying he was being attacked by a crocodile.
"However, they could not go to his aid," Nurul Azlan Shah said.
Kinabatangan firemen were notified about the incident at 1.35pm on Thursday and arrived at the scene, some 50km away, at 2.45pm.
Nurul Azlan Shah said the search and rescue operation involved Fire and Rescue Department personnel, the police, wildlife rangers and villagers.
Initial reports said Masdi and a friend had gone fishing.
