KOTA KINABALU, Aug 23 — A recreational outing turned tragic when a 16-year-old boy was found dead in Sungai Pegalan, Keningau today, while rescuers continue searching for his 13-year-old friend who was swept away by the strong current.
The victim, identified as Jasti Gomen, was found at 10.34am in Kampung Bakti, about 50 metres from where he and 13-year-old Khend Rommel Ponce Caceres were believed to have fallen into the river.
According to the Malaysian Civil Defence Force’s press statement, the boys are belived to have been standing along the riverbank when they suddenly fell into the water and were quickly swept away by the current.
Family members alerted police after learning that the boys were missing, prompting a search and rescue operation.
The Keningau District Operations Control Centre received information about the incident through social media at 7.24pm yesterday and sent personnel to the scene 15 minutes later to verify the report and meet the victims’ families.
A joint search and rescue team comprising seven police officers, nine firefighters and 13 APM personnel remains deployed at the scene in the search for Khend.
The operation is being supported by specialised vehicles and an ambulance.
Rescuers are continuing to search the river and surrounding areas for the 13-year-old, whose whereabouts remain unknown.
