JULAU: A weekend leisure activity turned tragic when two teenagers were allegedly swept away by strong river current at Meluan River near Fort Brooke yesterday afternoon.
One of the victims, 15-year-old Abdul Rezan Abdul Jalil, was found by rescuers at 5.47 pm, about 20 metres from where he allegedly drowned.
Meanwhile, the other victim identified as Ferdinand Raymond Jiram, 16, is still missing.
A spokesman for the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said they were alerted of the incident at around 3.50 pm by Julau police.
Firemen from Bintangor station were promptly despatched to the scene, about 67km away from the station.
“According to a witness, Ferdinand’s father, they were bathing and swimming at the scene prior to the incident at around 3 pm.
“It was reported that Abdul Rezan tried to cross the river but failed and he got swept away by the strong river current.
“Meanwhile, Ferdinand tried to save his friend but failed as he was also swept away by the current,” the spokesman said.
Once Abdul Rezan was discovered and retrieved, his body was handed over to the police for further action.
The search operation involving the police, Civil Defence Force (APM) and the villagers, was temporarily suspended at 6 pm and it will resume today.
