Plantation worker feared taken by croc while answering nature’s call
An oil palm plantation worker here is feared to have fallen victim to a crocodile after failing to return from answering nature’s call at a muddy ditch on Saturday night.
The victim, identified as Indonesian national Yosep Tefu, is said to have gone to a workers’ quarters at the plantation to visit fellow worker Obet Otemusu, who ended up lodging a missing persons report the following day.
According to his report, the victim was about to head back to his own quarters but said he wanted to ease himself first at the ditch, which is connected to a nearby river.
When he failed to return, Obet and other workers suspected something was amiss and went searching for him, but were unable to locate him.
Meanwhile, Fire and Rescue Department ( Bomba) Bintangor chief Nicholas Belulin said a search carried out yesterday failed to find any sign of Yosep, adding his men would resume the operation today.
“We were informed by police of the incident at 6.43pm ( Sunday) but were unable to immediately begin the search as it was dark by the time we arrived at the scene.
“We carried out the search today (yesterday) without success and will continue the operation tomorrow (today),” he said when contacted yesterday.
There has been no sign of the victim as of press time.