IPOH: The police have recorded the statements of 19 individuals to assist with investigations into the drowning of three in a water surge incident here.
The incident claimed the lives of three Public Works Department (JKR) employees who were participating in water rafting activities in Sungai Jahang near Gopeng on Friday (Nov 15).
Kampar OCPD Supt Mohamad Nazri Daud said all 19 individuals were participants or water sports guides in the programme.
"So far, we have taken the statements of 19 people, and it is expected that we will call some other individuals to complete the investigation," he said to Sinar Harian on Saturday (Nov 16).
Supt Mohamad Nazri said all the remains of the three victims have been claimed by their respective family members from the Kampar Hospital Forensic Unit.
"The autopsy results found that the cause of death was due to 'asphyxia secondary to drowning'.
"The case has been classified under sudden death," he said.
It was reported that three people drowned in the incident were: Langkawi JKR senior assistant Mohamad Khairul Hakim, 37; Central Seberang Perai JKR engineer Suhaili Mat Saad, 47 and Langkawi JKR customer service officer Muhammad Ikram Abdul Bari, 29.
The three JKR employees were found dead after being swept away while taking part in water rafting activities in Sungai Jahang near Gopeng.
All the victims who were participants in the team building programme are believed to have fallen after the boat they were on capsized due to continuous heavy rain, which led to a sudden rise in the water level of Sungai Jahang.
The boat was carrying six passengers and a guide.
