THREE DROWN IN SUNGAI KAMPAR WATER RAFTING INCIDENT

GOPENG, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- A woman and two men drowned in Sungai Kampar, here, while participating in a water rafting activity during heavy rain this evening.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director Sayani Saidon said a male and a female victim were brought to the riverbank by members of the public at Rock Garden and were confirmed dead by the Ministry of Health’s (KKM) personnel.

“Another victim, found at River Bug Gopeng, was also confirmed dead. It is understood that all three victims were participating in a team-building programme held at the location,” she said in a statement.

Sayani said the group, which consisted of 22 participants from the Public Works Department (JKR) of Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT) and Langkawi, along with six guides, entered the river at 3.30 pm.

The JBPM, he said, received an emergency call at 5.56 pm and a team of 10 personnel along with one vehicle was dispatched to the locations where the victims were found, namely Jalan Kampung Pintu Padang Rock Garden Camping Gopeng and River Park Gopeng.

The bodies of all three victims were taken to the Kampar Hospital.

-- BERNAMA

Meanwhile, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi expressed his condolences and extended his sympathies to the victims’ families in a Facebook post.

He said that based on the preliminary information he received, the victims included two participants from Langkawi JKR and one from SPT JKR.

He said he has requested the ministry and JKR teams in the affected states to provide necessary assistance and support to the families of the victims.

“I was informed that all three victims are believed to have drowned after being swept away by a water surge while participating in a white-water rafting activity in Sungai Kampar this evening,” he said.

-- BERNAMA