MELAKA: A 35-year-old man drowned while trying to retrieve a ball in the sea off the coast of Pantai Puteri this morning.
The incident was said to have happened at 11.30am when Rohim Rohani from Rantau Panjang, Klang in Selangor had come to the popular beach with his family for a holiday.
He was said to be fishing with his brother-in-law, Mohd Hadi Tajudin, 34, by the beach when he spotted a ball, used in play by his nieces and nephews who were picnicking by the beach, had drifted away.
He tried to retrieve the ball, but he was swept away by the waves and disappeared from view.
Family members and members of the public frantically tried to search for the victim, but was unable to locate him.
Tangga Batu Fire and Rescue station chief and Assistant Fire Superintendent Roslan Manas said two fire engines from Tangga Batu and Jalan Kubu fire stations and a Water Rescue Team (PPDA) rushed to the scene after receiving a distress call at 11.54am.
"Efforts to search and rescue the victim within a one to two nautical-mile radius from where the victim was last seen were mounted but they were unable to locate him,” he told reporters at the scene here.
The victim’s body was later discovered by a local fisherman at 4.45pm, some 20-metres from shore.
The Search and Rescue operations involved 34 personnel from the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Fire and Rescue Department, Malaysia Civil Defence Department, police and the Health Ministry.