SINGAPORE: The body of a boatman who went missing after he was seen jumping from a burning river taxi in Marina Bay on Tuesday evening (Jul 12), has been found. The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it retrieved the body from the Singapore River on Wednesday evening with the help of PUB officers.
Bumboat operator Singapore River Cruise (SRC) earlier told Channel NewsAsia it had launched its own search efforts for boatman, Mr Ong Hock Long since Tuesday night. Bumboat operations were temporarily halted on Tuesday night for Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) DART rescuers to conduct a search, but it resumed business on Wednesday morning following approval by the authorities.
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Singapore River Cruise started its own search efforts since Tuesday night to keep a look out for the missing boatman, identified by the company as Mr Ong Hock Long. (Photo: Alicia Tantriady) |
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SCDF ceased the underwater search at around midnight but resumed a "surface search" in the early hours of Wednesday morning. (Photo: Alicia Tantriady) |
Mr Ong had been on board SRC’s electric bumboat, RC 36, which has been in use for about three years. SRC said it will continue to “render all possible assistance” to the family of the missing boatman.
The operator said it is "unable to provide more information" as police investigations are currently ongoing.
Speaking to Channel NewsAsia before Mr Ong's body was found, Mr Neo, a childhood friend and former colleague of Mr Ong who has known him for more than 20 years, described the boat captain as a "hardworking". "He is a very kind person who loves his job, does it well and regularly maintains his boat. Everyone in the company knows that." Mr Ong has been working with SRC for about five years, he said.
The two last saw each other in April, but had conversed last Friday, Mr Neo added.
“We are terribly sad that he is missing," Mr Neo had said, adding that his friends were trying to help in the search. "Everyone is looking for him and I called him many times but (the phone,) it's not ringing," he said.
"I asked him on Facebook which was the bumboat that caught fire, but I didn't realise it was him until an ex-colleague told me that."
He added: "I believe he wanted to put out the fire, but it was too big and he could have inhaled too much smoke, which made him confused. Maybe that is why he jumped into the river."
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SCDF officers seen along the river bank of Singapore River on Wednesday evening. (Photo: Alicia Tantriady) |
Responding to queries from Channel NewsAsia, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said since being alerted to the incident on Tuesday evening, it has been "closely monitoring the situation" and following up with Singapore River Cruise and relevant government agencies to address tourists’ concerns, if any.
"STB will continue to work with the operator and relevant government agencies to ensure the safety of our tourists," said STB's Ms Serene Tan, director of its Lifestyle Precincts Development.
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Singapore Tourism Board is following up with Singapore River Cruise and relevant government agencies "to address tourists’ concerns, if any". (Photo: Alicia Tantriady) |
"I heard about the boat in flames on the news yesterday,” said tourist Jack Duboi, who was in line to go on board a bumboat.
“My family and I are shocked but we have already purchased the tickets in advance so we just decided to go for the boat tour,” the 52-year-old added. “I really hope nothing happens. It looks like many people are still going for the boat tour. I don't think many people are affected by it but it does sound scary."
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