BENTONG: A 59-year-old man is missing after being swept away by strong currents while attempting to cross Sungai Benus with a rope yesterday.
In the 7pm incident, mechanic Tan Kok Meng was attempting to help a friend move a sand-dredging machine to the middle of the river.
District police chief Superintendent Zaiham Mohd Kahar said investigations revealed the victim had entered the water with a rope which he was supposed to tie to a tree across the river.
"The victim was trying to help a friend move the sand-dredging machine on a wooden boat towards the middle of the river. However, the victim was swept by strong currents as he was attempting to cross the river.
"The victim's friend said he could not help as everything happened in the blink of an eye. When he could not locate the victim in the water, he immediately rushed for help," he said in a statement today.
Zaiham said the search and rescue (SAR) operation to locate Tan was extended to 5km from the spot he was reported missing.
"SAR operations involving some 40 policemen, firemen and Civil Defence Force (APM) personnel began at 8pm yesterday. A scuba team from the Fire and Rescue Unit was deployed to the scene at 2pm today," he said.