Elderly fisherman drowned after falling off boat

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Fishermen carry the victim on arrival at Kampung Buntal jetty.

Fishermen carry the victim on arrival at Kampung Buntal jetty.

KUCHING: An elderly fisherman died shortly after he was rescued when he fell from his boat while inspecting his cast fishing net near the Kampung Buntal jetty yesterday afternoon.

The fisherman, identified as Sebli Seri, was found by fellow villagers about 20 minutes after he reportedly fell into the river at 4.30pm.

State Fire and Rescue Department assistant operations director Farhan Sufyan Borhan said several personnel rushed to the scene after a distress call was received at 4.36pm.

“When we arrived at the scene at 5.12pm, we were notified by villagers that the victim, in his 60s, had already been found and was on the way to Sarawak General Hospital.”

Farhan said information provided by the chairman of Bako Volunteer Firemen Association indicated that other fishermen in the area spotted Sebli’s unmanned boat moving in circles in the middle of the river not far from where he had cast his net and realised what had happened.

“The other fishermen immediately began diving into the river and were able to locate the victim, who was unconscious and unresponsive, at 4.50pm,” he added.