After nearly 12 hours of search and rescue (SAR) operations, the driver of a car that plunged into the Panchor River yesterday evening was finally found.
The victim, Mud Husni Mahmud, 47, was discovered dead when the vehicle was lifted by rescue teams at 1:00 a.m. today.
The Operations Commander from Balai Bomba dan Penyelamat (BBP) Pagoh, Senior Fire Officer I (PBK I) Nor Alfatah Omar, said the body was recovered after the car was raised using a crane.
At 10:21 p.m., the Water Rescue Team (PPDA) located the vehicle about 50 meters from the riverbank at a depth of 15 meters, before the process of lifting the car commenced.
The victim’s body was handed over to the police for further action, and the operation was officially concluded at 1:38 a.m.
“PPDA conducted the first dive at 5:50 p.m. using the ‘arch pattern’ technique, followed by a second dive an hour later. Upon arrival, the team confirmed a car had gone off the road and submerged approximately 12 meters into the river,” he said.
According to initial witness reports, the driver was the only occupant in the vehicle. The search operation involved surface searching using boats and coordination with multiple fire stations.
A total of 20 personnel from BBP Pagoh, BBP Muar, and BBP Skudai participated, supported by two fiber boats and additional equipment.
“With the victim recovered, the SAR operation was officially ended at 1:38 a.m.,” Nor Alfatah concluded.
