What began as a family outing during the school holidays ended in heartbreak after a 31-year-old man was found drowned at the Batang Ai Dam in Lubok Antu, Sarawak.
The victim, identified as Rudie Lan, was discovered by the Water Rescue Team (PPDA) at 9.41pm on Tuesday after an extensive search operation.
According to the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), the victim’s body was located about five metres underwater and within a one-metre radius of the spot where he was last seen before disappearing beneath the surface.
Rescuers later handed the body over to police at 9.55pm for further action before officially concluding the search and rescue (SAR) operation at 10.08pm.
A spokesperson from the department’s Operations Centre said emergency services received a distress call regarding the incident at 6.05pm, prompting firefighters from the Betong Fire and Rescue Station to rush to the scene.
Preliminary information revealed that Rudie had been spending time with family members at the popular recreation area when the tragedy unfolded.
He was believed to have jumped into the water for a swim but failed to resurface, triggering panic among relatives and bystanders.
The incident serves as a sombre reminder of the dangers that can arise during recreational activities near deep water, particularly during the busy school holiday season when families flock to outdoor destinations across the country.
