SEGAMAT: A teenage boy reported missing after being swept away by strong currents while swimming with friends in Sungai Jeram Badoh, Kampung Mensudut Lama, Batu Anam, last Friday was found drowned this afternoon.
Segamat district police chief, Superintendent Ahmad Zamry Marinsah, said the body of the victim, 14-year-old Muhammad Idham Abd Kadir, was discovered at 12.05pm.
He said that the search and rescue (SAR) operation resumed on its third day at approximately 7am this morning.
"At 12.05pm, the SAR team comprising Segamat police and the Bandar Segamat Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) successfully located the boy's body. He was dressed in dark tracksuit bottoms but was shirtless.
"The body was found entangled in tree roots in the river, approximately 450 metres from the spot where he was last seen.
"The victim's family, present at the scene, identified the body. It was then transported to the Forensic Unit at Segamat District Hospital (HDS) for a post-mortem examination and further investigation," he said when met at the Incident Command Post (PKTK) at Sungai Jeram Badoh earlier today.
Also present were Segamat deputy police chief, Deputy Superintendent Ng Swie Chait, and Bandar Segamat Fire Station shief, Assistant Fire Superintendent Muhd Hazim Abd Razak.
Following the discovery, the SAR operation at the site was officially concluded at 2.00pm.
Two days ago, Ahmad Zamry confirmed in a statement that they received a report about the 14-year-old boy's disappearance at Sungai Jeram Badoh at 4.20pm.
He said that the victim was last seen swimming in the river with 19 friends.
"A witness reported that the victim was swept away by the current in the middle of the river and was no longer visible in the area before the incident was reported to local residents," he said.
Acting on the information, Ahmad Zamry said a team of officers from Segamat Police Station, Batu Anam, and Buloh Kasap was deployed to the scene to conduct a search. An Incident Command Post was established at 5.30pm on the riverbank at Kampung Mensudut Lama.
The case has been classified as sudden death.
The SAR operation included personnel from the Segamat District Police Headquarters (IPD), the Bandar Segamat Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), the Water Rescue Team (PPDA), as well as the village head and local residents.