RANTAU PANJANG: A rubber tapper died after he fell into a five-metre-deep well in Kampung Tasek Bakong here early this morning.
In the 6.30am incident, 64-year-old Baharom Ismail was believed to be attempting to perform the wudu (ablution) when he fell into the well.
His son noticed the situation and attempted to help by extending a rope but failed as the victim sank further into the well.
Their neighbour, Mohd Shamsudin Pa'Sar, 50, said he was passing by the area when he noticed the son of the victim looking distressed.
"I was informed by the children that their father had left to tap rubber and usually performed ablution at the well before Subuh prayers.
"One of his sons said they heard their father calling for help and had tried to lower a rope, but the victim was already weak and eventually submerged," he said.
Shamsudin added that he immediately called the Malaysian Emergency Response System (MERS) 999 to alert the authorities over the incident.
"We didn't know how to retrieve him from the well and had to request emergency assistance," he said.
Meanwhile, Rantau Panjang Fire and Rescue station chief Shapawi Stapa said a team was deployed to the village after they were alerted to the incident at 6.52am.
"Upon arrival, we found the victim inside the well before six personnel worked to retrieve him.
"He was confirmed dead and the body was handed over to the police," he said.