NABAWAN: A woman and her son were found drowned while her daughter was missing after the boat they had boarded sank in the Penawan River in Kampung Sinsingon, Sapulut, here, on Tuesday.
The woman, 26, was found at 3.15pm the same day but confirmed dead. The body of her son, 9, was found at 4.30pm by villagers on Wednesday, while her daughter, 7, was still missing as at press time.
According to the Sook Fire and Rescue Station, the boat was carrying five people. Two other victims - a 36-year-old father and his five-year-old son - managed to save themselves.
They were said to be on their way back home when the boat sank due to strong river currents.
A total of 12 firefighters led by operations officer Mukim Atah rushed to the location some 66km away after the station received a distress call at 1.14pm.
The search and rescue (SAR) operation was assisted by the Keningau Fire and Rescue Station, the K9 Unit with a tracking dog, police, Civil Defence Department and villagers.
