KOTA MARUDU: A 15-year-old boy who drowned at Sungai Gumagayo at Kampung Tangkol here yesterday died while trying to rescue a girl.
Wendley Recnoli, student of SMK Pingan-Pingan here, was swimming in the river with 15 teenagers when the incident occurred.
He was one of four friends who rushed to the aid of the girl, who was drowning.
“After bringing the girl safely out from the river, the group then realised that Wendley was missing.
“They rushed to get help from villagers to look for Wendley,” said District police chief Superintendent Mohd Izaan Abdullah.
His body was found about 10 metres from where they rescued the girl.
Efforts to resuscitate him at the scene proved futile.
Wedley was pronounced dead by personnel at the district hospital and a post-mortem will be conducted today.