Strong currents overturn boat in Perak; four rescued, skipper discovered dead in swamp

IPOH, Nov 26 — A local man in his 70s died in a swamp after the boat he was steering, carrying four Myanmar nationals, overturned in Kampung Sungai Tiang Baroh, near Selekoh yesterday.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) acting assistant director of operations Shazlean Mohd Hanafiah said a team from the Hutan Melintang fire and rescue station was deployed following an emergency call at 11.27am.

“Preliminary checks showed the boat capsized due to strong currents, throwing all five occupants into the water.

“Four Myanmar nationals managed to swim to safety, but the Malaysian boatman was swept away,” he said in a statement.

Shazlean added that the search operation was carried out using the LAST rescue approach, with responders assessing the area where the boat had overturned.

“The team received information that the victim had been located in a swamp. Firemen were then instructed to proceed to the site and retrieve him from chest-deep muddy waters,” he said.

“The victim was confirmed dead due to the conditions in which he was found. His body was handed over to the police, and the operation concluded at 4.51pm,” he added. — Bernama