KOTA KINABALU: The remains of a second victim, who drowned after a sampan capsize on the Padas River, has been recovered.

       The body of Joseph Sayah, 55, was found yesterday evening about 37km downstream from where the boat overturned near Batu 64, Kampung Saliwangan in Beaufort.

       Sabah Fire and Rescue Services Department deputy director Farhan Sufyan Borhan said the body was spotted by villagers around the area who immediately alerted search and rescue personnel combing the scene.

       The body of 12-year-old Melvin Junaidi, was recovered at Batu 60, about 34km from the scene on Thursday.

       Both victims were believed to have drowned after they were swept away by strong currents when their sampan capsized at around 4.15pm on Wednesday.

       However, an elderly couple on the boat survived after they managed to swim back to the riverbank.

       The four of them had earlier gone to Tenom town for grocery shopping.

       They were on their way back to their village when strong currents overturned the boat.

       Firemen, civil defence personnel as well as villagers had launched a search for the two victims who disappeared along Padas River which flows from the hills of Sabah’s interior Tenom to the southwestern district of Beaufort.

       Firemen had to take an hour-long train ride to the location before trekking into the area along the river where the sampan sank.