KUCHING: All three bodies of missing passengers of a private helicopter, which crashed at the mouth of Sungai Teriso near Sebuyau on Friday has been found.
State deputy police commissioner Dato Law Hong Soon, who is overseeing the search-and-rescue (SAR) operation confirmed that the bodies of Siti Khuzaimah Anwar and
Peter Ato Mayau were recovered ‘some distance away’ from the crash site.
“Siti’s body was found by fishermen near Maludam along Sungai Teriso around 11.15am and Peter’s body was found by villagers and rescuers not far from Kampung Tebelu about
2.30pm on Saturday.
Both bodies have been sent to the Simunjan Hospital and was released to their respective families on Sunday after a post mortem was conducted.
The body of last victim, Henry Loh was found at about 7.40am on Sunday at sea off Triso coast in Sri Aman by crew members of a chartered boat. The identity of the 42-year-old
architect has been confirmed by his family.
He added that both bodies were fully clothed when found and without life jackets, as the Eurocopter EC120 they were travelling in did not have any life vests onboard.
The trio together with chopper pilot Rico Steger, were heading to Nanga Merit in Kapit from Kuching to inspect a school project when the helicopter belonging to Sebiro Holdings crashed and sunk around 9.20am after encountering technical difficulties and inclement weather.
Peter, 53, a civil engineer, and 27-year-old Siti a quantity surveyor, were employees of Sebiro. Henry, 42, an architect, is said to be the consultant for the project.
The pilot, a German national Rico Steger, 35, was the only survivor as he swam his way out of the wreckage for several hours in strong currents before reaching Kampung Tebelu, Sebuyau.
Peter is state PKR vice-chairman who contested in Tarat in the last year’s state election but lost.
He is Pakatan Rakyat aspiring candidates for the Mambong parliamentary seat in the coming general election.
Meanwhile State PKR chairman Baru Bian regarded the later Peter Ato as a man of principle and very focus on what he is doing.
Baru said he was full of confidence and respect on Ato’s ability as a leader but it was sad that the vice chairman of the state PKR has to leave to be with the Lord.
Ato, 54, is aspiring PKR’s candidate in Mambong constituency in the forthcoming general election.
He has been moving quietly but actively in the constituency to meet with the electorates in the remote area of Padawan.
It was said that Ato is well like by the people in the area and his support from the ground is growing stronger and regarded as winnable candidate.
Baru in giving his words of courage to Ato's family after the prayer at the decease’s house at Jalan Urat Mata, Tabuan Jaya yesterday, said he knew Ato since during the Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak
(PBDS) days as a man of principle.
He recalled during one of the now defunct Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) Supreme Council meeting when Ato voiced out his opinion on one very important issue.
Baru said the demise of Peter Ato was not only a great lost to his wife and three children but also to PKR, adding that the party has lost a good leader.
Meanwhile to friends and supporters, they regarded Ato as a humble person who is down to earth.
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