DSP Jimmy Panyau
Rescuers prepare to transport Lawrance to the hospital.
SIBU: Police have confirmed that the two persons found dead in the jungle near Kampung Began, Mukah on Saturday died from snake bites.
Mukah police chief DSP Jimmy Panyau said the search-and-rescue team who found the victims indicated they had snake bite marks on their body.
He identified the two deceased as Stanley Saka, 21, and Duwat Jabu, 23. A third snake bite victim, 40-year-old Lawrance Jinal, survived but was in a weak condition when rescued.
Prior to the tragedy, Jimmy said a group of five persons went into the forest looking for tropical fruits.
While two departed earlier, the remaining three went deeper into the forest on Saturday before they came across a nest of snakes under a tree.
“One of them poked the nest which caused the snakes to attack them, killing two and injuring the third.
“The bodies of Stanley and Duwat were sent to Mukah Hospital on Sunday for a post-mortem. There were no external injuries on them, but they had snake bite marks on them.”
He said Lawrance is currently being treated at Mukah Hospital and is still in a weak, albeit stable condition.