SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DROWNS IN PARIT CANAL

IPOH, Dec 24 (Bernama) -- A child was found dead, believed to have drowned while playing with friends at the Parit 4 canal in Parit, yesterday.

Perak Tengah District Police chief Supt Hafezul Helmi Hamzah said the incident involving the seven-year-old victim was reported by a member of the public at around 5.45 pm.

“The victim was found about 30 metres from the canal’s edge and was brought by local residents to the Bota Kiri Health Clinic (Parit). A medical assistant confirmed that the victim had died.

“The body was taken to Seri Iskandar Hospital, and at about 9.30 am today, a post-mortem by a medical officer determined the cause of death as 'pulmonary oedema consistent with drowning',” he said in a statement today.

He urged parents to closely monitor their children's activities and prevent them from swimming in rivers and canals, as the currents were particularly strong during the Northeast Monsoon season, expected to last until the end of March next year.

Meanwhile, State Education, Higher Education, Youth and Sports Committee chairman Khairudin Abu Hanipah confirmed that the deceased victim was Muhammad Ammar Razif, 7, a student of SK Pasir Gajah.

Khairudin, in a Facebook post, said that at 10 am today, a sombre atmosphere filled the premises of the Forensic Room at Seri Iskandar Hospital during the process of claiming the child’s remains.

He said that he managed to speak with the child's father, known as Abang Jamhari, regarding assistance and support for the autopsy process and funeral arrangements.

“May the late Muhammad Ammar Razif be placed among the righteous and pious,” he added.

-- BERNAMA