A family outing ended in heartbreak after a 23-year-old man drowned while trying to save his younger brother, who remains missing following an incident at a river near a campsite in Polumpung Melangkap Baru, Kota Belud, this morning.
The victim, identified as Zul Hakim Abdullah, reportedly jumped into the river after his 18-year-old brother, Daniel, was believed to have been swept away by strong currents while swimming.
However, the rescue attempt turned tragic when Zul Hakim was also pulled away by the fast-moving water.
Kota Belud police chief Superintendent Shahrudin Mat Husain said villagers from Kampung Melangkap later discovered Zul Hakim’s body before alerting the authorities.
“A search and rescue operation is still underway to locate the second victim who remains missing,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kota Belud Fire and Rescue Station chief Elgie Bakuk said emergency responders received a distress call through the MERS999 hotline at 9.26am.
A team of nine firefighters, assisted by a fire engine from the Kota Belud station, was immediately dispatched to the location, which is situated about 30 kilometres away.
Firefighters managed to recover Zul Hakim’s body at around 10.18am, approximately 300 metres from where the incident occurred.
Health Ministry personnel later confirmed his death at the scene before the body was handed over to police for further procedures and identification by family members.
