IPOH: A frantic search for a missing six-year-old autistic boy ended in tragedy when he was found drowned in a drain about 330m from his home.
Bagan Datuk OCPD Supt Mohammad Ali Mohd Jali said police received a report on the child’s disappearance at 4.54pm on Tuesday.
The boy, he said, was last seen by his father in the living room of their home in Kampung Baru Sungai Sumun, Bagan Datuk, before he was discovered missing.
“The family, together with other residents, searched the area around the house but were unable to locate the boy,” said in a statement yesterday.
Supt Mohammad Ali said police later set up a Forward Command Post and launched a search and rescue operation with the Hutan Melintang Fire and Rescue Station, Civil Defence Force, Perak police contingent’s K9 Unit and residents.
Later at about 10pm, the boy was found floating in a drain near his home, he added.
“He was fully clothed and a preliminary examination found no signs of physical injury or indications of foul play.
“The body was sent to the Forensic Department at Hospital Teluk Intan for a post-mortem, which confirmed the cause of death was drowning,” he said.
Police have classified the case as sudden death, added Supt Mohammad Ali.
