Weekend day trip for two cousins turns tragic when one drowns

Rescuer teams bringing the body back to shore.

KOTA KINABALU: A weekend swimming and fishing trip for two cousins in Tenom district turned tragic when one of them, a 25-year-old, drowned.

The victim, Zali Tun, and his cousin had gone to a river in Kg Tantalifon Kuala Tomani, off Tenom’s Kemabong town at about 12.40pm for a swim and to check on the fish nets they set up prior to the incident.

Tenom Civil Defence Department officer Sopihan Muhammad said that about 10 minutes later, Zali started having trouble and was calling for help.

"His cousin, who was about 3m away, tried saving him but could not as the latter was struggling and his arms were too wet to be grasped properly," he said.

The victim disappeared under water after that, he said.

Sopihan said a distress call was received at about 2pm and rescue teams were sent to the scene to search for the victim.

An official search and rescue operation was activated only the next morning (Oct 10), as per procedure.

Zali’s body was found at about 7.30am, Monday (Oct 11).

His body was found stranded about a kilometre from where he was last seen.

Meanwhile, State Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations, Misran Bisara said there were no injuries found on the victim’s body when he was recovered from the river bank.

"His body has been surrendered to the police for further action," he said.