Fatal Crocodile Attack on Kinabatangan River: A Survivor’s Account

KOTA KINABALU: On Friday (Dec 27), the body of a 40-year-old man, believed to have been attacked by a crocodile, was found by villagers along the Kinabatangan River. The victim, identified as Masdi Sahar, was discovered about 1km downstream from the location of the boat accident.

A Sudden Collision and Struggle for Life

Masdi, along with three companions, had been transporting belian wood on a boat when they encountered an unknown object that caused the vessel to capsize. Three of the men managed to escape to the shore, but Masdi was left behind, reportedly screaming for help as he fought off the crocodile.

Emergency Response and Collaboration

The Kinabatangan fire station received the distress call at 1:35 pm on Thursday. Despite the distance from the scene, emergency responders arrived promptly, and a joint search and rescue operation involving police, wildlife rangers, and villagers was launched.

Investigation Continues

Masdi’s body was retrieved and handed over to the police. Initial investigations suggest that he and a friend had been fishing at the time of the incident.