Teenager drowns during swimming outing in Sarikei

SARIKEI (Sept 20): A swimming outing among a group of teenagers today turned tragic when one of them drowned.

According to a spokesperson for the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), a distress call was received around 11.30am before a team of rescuers from the Sarikei station was dispatched to the scene at the Wong Ruan Ulu Sarikei Waterfall some 32km away.

“At the scene, rescuers were informed that the victim, identified as Alex Lau Hui Ping, had drowned.

“Lau’s body was recovered by members of the Lubok Lemba Volunteer Fire Brigade who conducted a search and rescue (SAR) operation by diving at the location where the victim was reported missing.

“The body was then handed over to the medical team at the scene and has been declared dead,” said the spokesperson, adding that the body was then handed over to the police for further action.

At the time of the incident, Lau was swimming with three friends, aged between 17 and 18.

The other three were reported safe, while Lau had reportedly sunk into the water, said the spokesperson.