PETALING JAYA: The body of a man believed to have drowned in Sungai Kampung Kuantan, Kuala Selangor, has been found about 5.5km from where he was last seen.
The victim was discovered by members of the public near a jetty at Batu 7 at about 8.30am on Sunday (April 5), still in his wheelchair.
Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (Operations) Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar said the department received an emergency call about the incident at 9.09pm on Friday (April 3).
“Search and rescue operations were immediately launched, involving personnel from the Bestari Jaya fire station, as well as the Water Rescue Team and K9 unit.
“The victim was believed to have fallen into the river, and search efforts were carried out using water surface searching and diving techniques,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
He said operations resumed on the second day with divers conducting underwater searches, while K9 units and firefighters combed the riverbanks within a 1km radius.
“However, the victim was not located, and the operation was suspended at 6.30pm on Saturday (April 4) before resuming the following morning,” he said.
Ahmad Mukhlis said the victim’s body was eventually found by the public about 5.5km from the location where he was believed to have fallen.
“The remains were recovered by rescuers and handed over to the police for further action,” he said.
A search and rescue team comprising firefighters, the PPDA and K9 units, with assistance from the police, had been deployed for the operation.
Meanwhile, Kuala Selangor District Police chief Supt Azaharudin Tajudin, in a statement, said a report was received from the victim's friend on April 3, stating that the victim had gone missing and was believed to have fallen into the river.
He said the complainant, a 65-year-old local man, along with another friend, had gone to a jetty in the vicinity to fish, but the complainant and his friend were asked by the victim to go and buy drinks before the unfortunate incident occurred.
"Upon returning to the jetty, the complainant found that the victim, who was a kidney patient, was no longer there and was believed to have fallen into the river. The victim's body was sent to the Tanjong Karang Hospital for a post-mortem," he said.
Azaharudin said the case was being investigated as a sudden death report and initial investigations so far have not shown any elements of crime. Members of the public with information are urged to come forward to the nearest police station or contact the Kuala Selangor District Police Headquarters Operations Room at 03-3289 1222.
