PADANG TERAP: A 14-year-old boy died, while four of his friends were injured after being electrocuted near a padi field in Kampung Tanjung Putus, Kuala Nerang, yesterday.
The victim, Muhammad Hariyz Akief Noraimi, a student at SMK Dato Syed Ahmad, was confirmed dead by medical personnel at the Kuala Nerang Hospital.
His friends, aged between 15 and 19, were rushed to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital (HSB) in Alor Star for treatment.
District police management division chief Assistant Superintendent Mohd Yukhrul Mohd Yusoff said the incident occurred when the boys went to retrieve a fishing lure snagged on an electrical cable at 6.30pm.
He added that one of the boys, aged 15, climbed onto a motorbike seat and used an aluminium pole in an attempt to reach the lure.
"Meanwhile, the others were holding the motorbike steady to prevent it from falling.
"As they tried to retrieve the lure, an unexpected electric shock struck, causing all of them to lose consciousness.
"The four friends eventually regained consciousness, but Muhammad remained unresponsive," he said when contacted.
Yukhrul said all five were initially rushed to Kuala Nerang Hospital, where Health Ministry personnel pronounced Muhammad dead upon arrival.
His body was later transferred to HSB for post-mortem.
It is understood that the victims' four other friends were subsequently moved to HSB.