Kota Kinabalu: An 11-year-old boy drowned after being swept away by strong currents at Sungai Rampayan, near Kampung Dombung, Manggatal, on Wednesday afternoon.
Kota Kinabalu District Police Chief ACP Kasim Muda said police received a report on the incident at 3.05pm.
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“The boy, identified as Akil Hamizan Ahmad, had gone to the river with nine friends from the same area to catch fish,” he said.
Preliminary information indicates that the victim and one of his friends were separated from the group and carried away by the river current. Their companions immediately sought help from members of the public.
Police personnel from the Manggatal station were deployed to the scene upon receiving the report, while a Fire and Rescue Department team from Lintas arrived at about 4pm.
“The victim was found at 4.17pm. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was administered at the scene before he was rushed to Hospital Likas by ambulance,” Kasim said.
However, the boy was pronounced dead at 5.46pm by attending doctors. Police extended their condolences to the victim’s family, while Kasim reminded the public of the importance of parental supervision, especially when children are near rivers or open water.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
