KUCHING: A man is feared to have drowned after he jumped into a river in Asajaya, Kota Samarahan to escape from a swarm of bees while fishing late yesterday afternoon.
The victim is said to be a 29-year-old villager from Kampung Tanjong Apong, although his identity has not been ascertained as of press time.
The incident occurred around 5pm at Lubok Plaie, not far from the village, when the victim was said to have jumped into the river after coming under attack from a swarm of bees.
Rescuers from the Samarahan fire station were despatched to the scene and subsequently mounted a search-and rescue operation after a distress call was received at 5.17pm.
The operation, however, was called off at 7.13pm due to darkness, and is expected to resume at daybreak today.
When contacted yesterday, Samarahan district police chief DSP Lee Chong Chern said the victim’s motorcycle, fishing gear and a bottle of water were found at the scene, with a bee hive also spotted in the vicinity.
However, he said it was still too early to confirm if the victim had drowned after jumping into the river, adding that rescuers remained hopeful the villager might have emerged from the river and sought refuge in the jungle to escape from the bees.