10-year-old boy feared downed in Sungai Selisek

KUALA LUMPUR - A 10-year-old boy is feared to have drowned after he was believed to have been swept away by current in Sungai Nilam, Sungai Selisek, Hulu Selangor, on Wednesday.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) assistant operations director Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar said his department received an emergency call at 1.40pm and a team of personnel from Kuala Kubu Baharu Fire and Rescue Station was dispatched to the incident location which is about 40 kilometres away.

"Search work is being carried out by firefighters at the location," he said in a statement.

He said the first engine arrived at the location at 2.35pm with a strength of five personnel along with a Fire Rescue Tender (FRT), a Hilux and a boat.

Meanwhile, Hulu Selangor district police chief ACP Ibrahim Husin said initial investigations found that the victim is believed to have fallen while playing on the banks of the river before being swept away by the strong current.

He said the search and rescue operation for the victim began from 2pm to 7pm and was suspended due to deteriorating weather conditions.

"The operation will resume tomorrow morning (today) involving 48 personnel from various agencies including JBPM, Civil Defence Force and the Ministry of Health as well as volunteers," he said in a statement last night.

Ibrahim said the victim was wearing a pink short-sleeved shirt and black shorts at the time of the incident.

Members of the public with information are asked to come forward to assist in the investigation by contacting the nearest police station or the Hulu Selangor district police headquarters at 03-60641222. - BERNAMA