A mother drowned after being swept away by strong currents while trying to rescue her two young daughters who fell into a river during a flash flood at Sungai Jalong Tinggi, Kampung Landap, on Wednesday.
The incident happened at about 5pm while the woman was bathing in the river with her husband, their daughters aged seven and nine, and seven other family members.
Sungai Siput district police chief Superintendent Charan Ai Wan said the tragedy unfolded when both girls fell into the river and were swept away by the strong currents.
He said their parents immediately attempted to rescue them but were also swept away after failing to reach the children.
“Both children and their father were rescued by Orang Asli villagers, but their mother could not be saved,” he said when contacted on Wednesday.
The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) was subsequently alerted to conduct a search and rescue operation.
At about 6.50pm, villagers found the woman on the riverbank, unconscious.
“Medical personnel who arrived at the scene confirmed her death,” Charan said.
He also advised the public to avoid recreational activities such as camping and picnicking near waterfalls and rivers, particularly during the monsoon season and periods of unpredictable rainfall.
Meanwhile, Perak Fire and Rescue Department operations assistant director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said an emergency call regarding the incident was received at 5.41pm.
A team from the Sungai Siput Fire and Rescue Station arrived at the scene at 6pm, approximately 19km from the station.
He said an initial assessment by the operation commander found that a land route was accessible to vehicles, allowing rescuers to reach the opposite riverbank using a four-wheel-drive utility vehicle (Hilux).
The rescue operation involved 10 firefighters, supported by a Fire Rescue Tender (FRT), a Hilux, a boat and a Kembara utility vehicle.
