A teenage motorcyclist who went missing after his motorcycle skidded and plunged into a river near Kolam Udang, Jalan Sekakap, Seri Pantai, Mersing, was found dead on Friday morning.
The victim’s body was discovered by the Fire and Rescue Department’s Water Rescue Team (PPDA) at 7.55am, about 100 metres from the spot where he was last seen.
Operation commander Senior Fire Officer II Mohamed Zainuddin Ahmad said the department received an emergency call at 11.26pm on Thursday.
Upon arriving at the scene, firefighters confirmed that a motorcycle had skidded off the road and that its rider had fallen into the river.
The initial search was conducted along the riverbank before additional assistance was requested from the PPDA team at the Skudai Fire and Rescue Station at 12.45am.
Mohamed Zainuddin said the Skudai team arrived at 2.41am and began searching the river’s surface around the area where the teenager was believed to have fallen.
A total of 15 personnel from the Mersing and Skudai fire stations took part in the search and rescue operation, supported by an LFRT fire engine, an Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) vehicle, two utility vehicles and a boat.
Mersing district police chief Superintendent Abdul Razak Abdullah Sani also confirmed the incident, saying police received information about a motorcyclist who had skidded into Sungai Jemaluang along Jalan Sekakap at 11.15pm on Thursday.
He said the search began that night before the victim’s body was found at around 7.50am on Friday.
Earlier, a social media appeal had circulated urging the public to pray for the teenager’s safety after he reportedly fell into Sungai Jemaluang.
Posts also shared the victim’s photograph and name, identifying him as Ahmad Danish Zaquan Ahmad ‘Yazir, believed to be from Pasir Gudang and a student at GiatMARA Mersing.
The posts drew messages of concern and prayers from members of the public, who also wished the rescue team success in its search.
