On the night of 3 October, the nation was shocked by news of six firemen who drowned while carrying out a search and rescue operation. This heartbreaking incident took place at a mining pond in Taman Putra Perdana, Puchong.
Source: Facebook
According to NST and Harian Metro, the operation was to search for a 17-year-old teenager, Mohd Ilham Fahmy who was believed to have slipped and fallen into the mining pond in the evening. It was understood that the teen had gone there with his two friends for fishing activities.
The local residents quickly alerted the Fire and Rescue Department when they learnt about the mishap. Six firemen from the Water Rescue Unit then dived into the water to look for the victim shortly after.
Five minutes into the operation, the current suddenly surged and all the divers were entangled by their safety ropes, which was believed to have caused their diving equipment to come off.
Sepang district police chief Assistant Commissioner Abdul Aziz Ali said a few firemen on standby saw the divers struggling in the water and tried to pull them out but the current was just too strong.
Source: Facebook
Source: Facebook
The first diver was only pulled out after 30 minutes.
“When they were brought out (of the water), all six of them were unconscious. The paramedics at the scene performed CPR for 30 minutes but none of the victims gave any response and they were pronounced dead later,” Abdul Aziz said.
The fallen firemen are:
- Mohd Fatah Hashim, 34
- Izatul Akma Wan Ibrahim, 32
- Mazlan Omarbaki, 25
- Yahya Ali, 24
- Adnan Othman, 33
- Muhammad Hifdzul Malik Shaari, 25
The bodies have been sent to Serdang Hospital for post-mortem. This news also shocked the missing teenager’s father, Mohd Azzam Naim who didn’t expect the tragedy to take a turn for the worse.
It was learnt that he had advised his son not to go there anymore especially after two men had drowned two months ago while fishing there. Moreover, it’s rainy season now and strong current is expected. Sadly, the teen didn’t take his father’s advice seriously.
At the time of writing, the teen’s body has yet to be found.
Our thoughts and prayers go to the family of the deceased and we salute the unsung heroes for their service and dedication. RIP.
Also read: 60kg Turtle Trapped in Port Dickson Power Station Rescued by Firemen
