VOLUNTEER FIREMAN FEARED DROWNED DURING TRAINING EXERCISE

IPOH, March 9 (Bernama) -- A volunteer fireman is feared to have drowned after falling into a lake while carrying out a training exercise at Jalan Lahat Mines, Bandar Baru Lahat Mines near Pasir Puteh yesterday.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Sayani Saidon said the victim, Ka-Jun Cheng Siew, 25, was a member of the Menglembu Voluntary Fire Brigade (PBS).

She said the department was notified of the incident at 7.27 pm and rushed firemen from the Pasir Puteh and Ipoh stations, as well as volunteer firemen from the Menglembu, Pekan Baru and Pasir Pinji brigades to the scene.

“The victim and his team had been conducting boat training and testing activities at the lake since 4 pm, involving 16 PBS members using three boats.

“The victim was reported to be wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) at the start of the training. However, around 7.10 pm, as the session was coming to an end, he got back on the boat without wearing the PFD,” she said in a statement today.

Sayani said the victim and the boat driver are believed to have fallen into the lake when the driver made a U-turn in the middle of the lake.

“The driver was later rescued by other PBS members, while the victim is believed to have sunk into the lake. 

“The location where the victim is believed to have fallen is estimated to be about 150 metres from the edge of the lake. A search operation is currently under way, with updates to follow,” she said.

-- BERNAMA