Family watches in horror as teen drowns in Sungai Padas

TENOM: The family of Mohd Nazim Idris, 15, could only watch in horror as he drowned in Sungai Padas here on Sunday (April 15).

The Form Three student was swimming in the river with his two siblings and cousin, when he started struggling in the deeper part of the water.

Tenom Fire and Rescue Department chief Mohd Zainal Sinsian said his team of nine firefighters rushed to the scene after receiving a distress call at about 10.40am.

"Mohd Nazim's 18-year-old sister tried to rescue him, but to no avail. We were told that he did not know how to swim," he said.

Mohd Zainal said the search and rescue operation ended at around 1.50pm after Mohd Nazim's body was found floating in a section of the river that was 3m deep.

"His family lived on the banks of the river," he said.

The body was sent to Hospital Tenom for post-mortem.