KOTA KINABALU: A 19-year-old youth drowned after being swept away by sudden strong currents while swimming with friends at a river in Kampung Kijang, Tawau.
Tawau Acting OCPD Supt Wilynton Enchana Watt said the victim was among a group of 13 teenagers visiting the river prior to the incident on Monday morning (Sept 7).
Seven members of the group were in the water around 9:30am when river currents surged unexpectedly. While six managed to swim back to safety, the victim was pulled under and swept away.
His friends alerted a nearby river guard, who immediately dived into the water to launch a search. The guard managed to locate the 19-year-old and bring him ashore, though he was already unconscious.
The victim was rushed to the Merotai Besar Health Clinic for emergency treatment, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Supt Wilynton confirmed that initial police investigations revealed no signs of foul play or suspicious physical injuries on the body. The case has been classified as a sudden death report (SDR).
He urged members of the public to exercise caution and prioritize safety when swimming or conducting activities near rivers and open water.
