KOTA KINABALU: Tragedy struck when a 13-year-old boy fell off a hanging bridge while taking selfies in Tuaran a week ago. However, the story took a heartbreaking turn when his body was discovered along a beach approximately 102km away in the northern Kudat district.
The Sabah Fire and Rescue Services Department spokesman revealed that members of the public made the grim discovery on Saturday morning (July 15) at Kg Rukom in Kudat. The body was later identified as Mohd Hisham Iskandar Azli by his family members at 4.15pm. Consequently, the body was handed over to the police for further action.
Narrating the incident, it was disclosed that the victim was taking selfies on a suspension bridge at Kg Telibung in Tuaran district when he slipped and fell into the river on July 8 at around 2.30pm. The initial report received by the firemen stated that he had either stood or sat on the railing of the bridge, leading to his fatal slip.
Desperately attempting to swim to the riverbank, Mohd Hisham was swept away by strong currents, ultimately failing in his valiant rescue effort. In a display of solidarity, two of his friends bravely dived into the river to save him, but unfortunately, they were no match for the relentless current. Consequently, they had to swim to shore in order to save themselves. Tuaran Fire Station chief, Mohd Abd Qawie Abdul Gapar, provided this information based on the initial report.
Despite the best efforts of a multi-agency search and rescue operation conducted along the river and river mouth, they were unable to locate the boy. After the family positively identified the body, the search was officially called off at 5pm on Saturday.
It is speculated that Mohd Hisham was pushed into the open sea and subsequently carried by the currents to the northernmost coast of Kudat. The road distance between Tuaran and Kudat is approximately a three-hour drive, covering a distance of about 130km.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
