KUALA LUMPUR: A witness of the boat capsize in Kayan River, Kampung Selampit, Lundu, recalled shouting out and asking the victims to grab any object near them while he paddled towards them in a sampan.
Speaking to Buletin Utama, Louis Joph said he was saddened that he was unable to save all 20 victims.
"At first, I swam towards them but then I saw that there were too many victims so I went back, took a sampan and paddled with my hands.
"While I was paddling, I had instructed the victims to grasp anything that they could and don't let go because most students couldn't swim.
"I said, wait for me to come," he said.
Joph had managed to save 10 students.
Earlier today, two female students were missing after the boat they were riding capsized around 6am.
According to preliminary information from the state Fire and Rescue Department Operations Centre (PGO), the boat was overloaded and carrying 20 people.
Of the passengers, 14 managed to escape to safety, while another student, who was swept away by strong currents to about one kilometre from the scene, was rescued by villagers.
Meanwhile, a victim, Alfiyana Recha, 13, said she had grasped onto a piece of the boat with four other students to save herself.