IPOH: A family’s desperate search for their missing toddler ended in tragedy yesterday morning when his body was discovered entangled in driftwood near Gua Tempurung.
The two-year-old boy had gone missing the previous day while playing along a riverbank in Gopeng, about eight kilometres upstream.
“He was found about eight kilometres from the spot where he was believed to have been swept away,” said Perak Fire and Rescue Department assistant operations director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad.
A briefing was held at 8.30am yesterday before the search and rescue operation began.
“The operation was focused on a 10km stretch of the river from the point the victim was last seen to the Sungai Kampar bridge in Kuala Dipang. Another team, equipped with a K9 unit, searched the riverbank,” said Sabarodzi.
Kampar OCPD Supt Mohamad Nazri Daud said the victim and his family from Tronoh, Batu Gajah, went to the location for recreational activities on Monday morning.
“The family only realised the victim was missing around 11.30am and searched the vicinity. The last time they saw the toddler was by the riverbank,” he said in a statement.
“They believe the boy was swept away by the river’s strong currents and immediately notified the authorities,” he added.
Supt Mohamad Nazri said the victim’s body was discovered by a local river guide.
“The victim was found tangled in driftwood in the middle of the river near Gua Tempurung, about eight kilometres from where he was last seen,” he said.
“The body has since been sent to Hospital Kampar for post-mortem.”
