KUCHING: A woman from China was rescued after she was believed to have jumped into the Sarawak River from the Riverine Condominium area in the early hours of Tuesday, while her partner and a security guard also ended up in the river during rescue attempts.
The incident occurred at about 3am on August 4 and triggered a swift emergency response from the Padungan Fire and Rescue Station (BBP Padungan).
According to the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department, the Operations Control Centre received an emergency call at 3.04am. A Fire Rescue Tender (FRT) and an Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) vehicle, together with seven firefighters, were immediately dispatched to the scene.
The rescue team arrived approximately four minutes later and began the operation at 3.10am.
The operation commander said an adult woman from China was believed to have jumped into the Sarawak River from the Riverine Condominium area.
Her partner immediately jumped into the river in an attempt to save her. However, both of them were swept away by the strong river current.
The situation was noticed by a security guard who was on duty nearby. Without hesitation, the guard also entered the river to help the couple.
The security guard successfully guided both individuals to a concrete wharf structure, where all three of them held on while waiting for emergency rescuers to arrive.
Firefighters quickly threw a life buoy into the river to keep the victims afloat before using rescue ropes to pull them to safety one by one. All three were then brought safely onto land.
EMRS personnel carried out medical examinations at the scene and confirmed that none of the three individuals suffered any physical injuries.
However, despite being advised to undergo further medical checks, all three declined to be taken to the hospital.
The case was later handed over to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) for further investigation.
The rescue operation was brought under control at 3.30am and was fully completed by 4.10am before firefighters returned to the station.
The successful rescue highlighted the quick response of the Padungan Fire and Rescue Station and the courageous actions of the security guard, whose immediate intervention helped prevent the incident from ending in tragedy.
