An attempt by a man to move a walking stick led to the discovery of a deceased elderly man in Simpang Kuala, Kota Setar, yesterday.
In the incident at about 4pm, a 61-year-old man found the body of 74-year-old Chew Kim Leng inside a drain near Jalan PSK 1.
Kota Setar police chief Asst Comm Syed Basri Syed Ali said the witness initially noticed a walking stick lying on the road and intended to move it to a nearby grassy area.
However, while doing so, he discovered the victim in the drain and immediately stopped a passing police patrol car that was on routine rounds in the area.
Police personnel then proceeded to the scene and confirmed that the deceased was Chew Kim Leng, who lived in a nearby flat.
Preliminary investigations found that the elderly man is believed to have slipped while walking near the drain.
Forensic officers from the Kedah police contingent headquarters also inspected the scene and found no elements of foul play.
The body was sent to the Forensic Department of Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital for a post-mortem to determine the cause of death.
The case has been classified as sudden death pending the post-mortem results.
