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TAWAU: A man travelling at the back of a four-wheel drive died when it was swept away while attempting to cross floodwaters at Jalan Kg Sungai Udin-Kalabakan at 9.30pm on Thursday. Three others escaped similar fate.

It was the latest tragedy befalling victims in vehicles attempting to cross swollen rivers. Two men drowned in separate cases within a 24-hour period at the same location in January last year. Three similar tragedies occurred in Keningau.

The vehicle in the latest case reportedly veered off its original path. Besides the victims, it was carrying two motorcycles stored in the rear cargo area.

Tawau District Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) chief Asst Fire Supt Jemishin Ujin said the victim in his 30s was found by oil palm plantation workers about 800 metres away. His remains were handed over to the police.

“He was in the rear cargo area, while another who also in the same area was safe,” he said. The 27-year-old driver and 23-year-old front-seat passenger were unharmed.

Jemishin said an emergency call was received at 9.34pm, and his team arrived at the scene nearly an hour later with eight personnel led by Operations Commander Senior Fire Officer II Zougarana Konin.

“We carried out a search and rescue (SAR) operation along the riverbank within a kilometre radius,” he said.