GUA MUSANG, May 22 (Bernama) -- A search and rescue (SAR) operation for a man who went missing after his vehicle was swept away by strong currents while crossing Sungai Sumar, Kuala Betis, will now be assisted by the Fire and Rescue Department’s (JBPM) K9 Detection Unit.
Gua Musang Fire and Rescue Station chief, Senior Fire Superintendent Nor Azizi Che Noh said the SAR team had initially used the Water Surface Searching technique, but as of 4.30 pm today, the victim had yet to be found.
“Therefore, we have requested the assistance of the K9 Detection Unit to join the SAR operation. The team will be sent to the location via JBPM’s Air Unit to Pos Bihai.
“The operation had to be temporarily suspended due to rain and diminishing daylight,” he said in a statement today.
He added that the SAR operation was also joined by several other agencies, including the police, the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA), and the Ministry of Health, involving a total of 18 personnel and six vehicles.
On May 20, a man was reported missing after the four-wheel-drive vehicle he was driving failed to overcome strong currents while attempting to cross Sungai Sumar, Kuala Betis.
The victim, Chan Chong Cheng, 51, was on his way to Pos Bihai for work-related matters with two other passengers, who managed to escape by breaking the vehicle’s window before it was swept away by the current.
-- BERNAMA
