13-year-old boy feared drowned in Keningau river

KOTA KINABALU: A search and rescue operation has been mounted after a 13-year-old boy went missing and feared drowned while playing with friends at a river in Keningau on Monday (Feb 26).

The Fire and Rescue Department received the emergency call at 5.50pm reporting the disappearance of the teen, Aloysius Alfred, at the river along Kampung Panagatan.

“It was reported that the victim was bathing at the river with four other friends aged between eight to 13 years old, with an accompanying adult who is one of the boys’ grandfather.

“There were strong currents and initially another boy, a 10-year-old, nearly drowned as well but he managed to be rescued by his 74-year-old grandfather.

“The Keningau fire station has sent a team to the location to gather more details and commence SAR (surface search method) around the area where he was reported to have gone missing.

“Information will be updated from time to time,” said the department spokesman.