Devastating outcome: Search and rescue personnel bringing Ismail’s body to the Batu Musang jetty.
Fisherman drowns off Penang bridge after colliding with concrete pier
NIBONG TEBAL: A routine cockle-harvesting trip turned fatal when a fisherman’s boat crashed into a concrete pier beneath the second Penang bridge, throwing him overboard.
The victim, Ismail Ahmad (pic), 28, was found dead near a floating fish farm cage at around 9.40am yesterday, more than 24 hours after the accident.
Penang Fire and Rescue Department director Mohamad Shoki Hamzah said the search and rescue operation began shortly after the incident was reported at 10.39am on Thursday, when other boatmen saw the crash.
Tide charts showed a rapid tidal rise from 0.9m to a high of 2.5m, causing strong currents that likely prevented Ismail from swimming back to his boat.
“A surface water search was conducted with the support of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency,” said Mohamad Shoki, adding that five boats were deployed during the operation.
Ismail was believed to be operating his boat alone when it struck the bridge’s pier at KM4.2.
His father and a friend, who were on a separate vessel, were unharmed.
Ismail’s body was brought to the Batu Musang jetty before being handed over to the police for further action.
The search operation also involved assistance from the local fishermen’s association.
