POKOK SENA: A 25-year-old man died after his car plunged into a river near Kampung Baru, Tanjung Emas, here today.
In the 10.30am incident, the victim, identified as Muhammad Noor Fadzli Mustapa, reportedly lost control of his Proton Wira, which skidded off the road and into Sungai Santap.
Fadzli drowned after being trapped in the submerged vehicle. No external injuries were found.
Kedah Fire and Rescue Department senior fire officer II Abd Fataf Hamdan said a rescue team was dispatched promptly at 10.25am after receiving a distress call.
"Initially, we were informed that there were two victims in the car, but after our inspection, it was confirmed that only one person was involved.
"The victim was successfully retrieved from the car and pronounced dead by Health Ministry personnel," he said when met at the search location today.
Abd Fataf said Fadzli was found in the driver's seat and did not drift with the current. The car was recovered with a tow truck.
"We managed to pull the vehicle out of the river with the help of a tow truck.
"This river was recently widened and deepened to five metres, but the car only plunged to the riverbank," he added.
Meanwhile, local resident Mohd Subhi Mohd Shukor, 30, said the car initially veered to the left before plunging into the right side of Sungai Santap.
He said the vehicle slowly sank, and the victim attempted to escape but failed before being found drowned.
It is understood that the victim, who was married, had a wife who is nine months pregnant.