KOTA KINABALU: The body of a local farmer, who was swept away by strong currents at Sungai Labuk in Sabah's northeastern Beluran district, was recovered by search and rescue workers.

       Idham Olah, 45, was found at about noon on Monday (March 28), some 600m away from the area he was seen being dragged down by strong river currents, said Beluran OCPD Supt Kasim Muda.

       He said the body has been sent to the Beluran hospital for postmortem.

       Idham was bathing at the river with three friends around 11.30am on Sunday (March 27), when they heard him scream for help before disappearing into the river.

       The friends, who could not save Idham due to the currents, made a distress call for help while other family members and villagers in the Kg Bauto area joined in the search.

       The search involving firemen and also Rela was called off late Sunday when darkness set in.

       It resumed at 8.30am Monday with the focus of the search along the riverbanks.