GERIK: A woman is feared to have drowned after being swept away by a strong current while having fun with her family at Sungai Air Beruk, Kampung Kerunai, here on Sunday (Nov 17).
In the incident, which occurred around 2.30pm, the victim known as Nur Arina Azizan, 20, was taking a bath using a float with her 48-year-old mother and three other family members, reported Sinar Harian.
It is understood that the victim got off the buoy, which caused her to be swept away by the strong current.
Seeing the incident, the victim's mother jumped in to save her daughter, causing her to be swept away by the current as well before the villagers rescued her.
Gerik Fire and Rescue station chief Azizan Aziz said a team of 19 was deployed to the scene of the incident after receiving a call at 3.11pm.
"The search and rescue (SAR) operation was activated. A surface search and a 'skin dive' near the location where the victim was believed to have drowned was conducted.
"The kayak team from Kampung Kerunai Voluntary Firefighters also came down to help search by going down the river while other agencies went through the cliff area to look for the victim," he said.
According to him, the Water Rescue Team (PPDA) arrived to assist the SAR operation while the Detection Dog Unit (K9) was called to the scene of the incident.
"The SAR operation involving the police, the Malaysian Civil Defense Force (APM) and the villagers was postponed around 7pm.
"Several members have been stationed at the Fire Control Post, and operations will resume at 8am on Monday (Oct 18)," he said.
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