Man falls into deep drain in bid to save cat

MELAKA - An animal lover's good intentions turned to tragedy when he fell into a drain nearly four metres deep in Taman Melaka Perdana, Ayer Keroh, on Friday.

The incident occurred around 11am. The 32-year-old victim sustained a right leg injury and was trapped for nearly 30 minutes before members of the public raised the alarm.

Melaka Fire and Rescue Department public relations officer Deputy Fire Superintendent II Mohd Hafidzatullah Rashid said the department received an emergency call at 10.58am, after which 14 personnel from Bukit Katil Fire and Rescue Station, assisted by Ayer Keroh Fire Station, were rushed to the scene.

He said the victim was believed to have been trying to rescue a cat in a hilly, overgrown area behind his house when the weather turned overcast.

An animal lover's good intentions turned to tragedy when he fell into a drain nearly four metres deep in Taman Melaka Perdana, Ayer Keroh, on Friday.

"The victim reportedly stepped on a concrete drain cover before falling in.

"A rescue operation was immediately launched and the victim was brought up and handed over to a Health Ministry's ambulance to be taken to hospital," he said in a statement on Friday.

He said the victim was extracted using a hauling technique with a Sked Stretcher.

The operation was brought under control at 12.41pm and concluded about 25 minutes later.