SUNGAI PETANI: A fisherman drowned in his bid to rescue his son, who had a seizure and fell into the sea while the duo were on a fishing trip off the coast of Kuala Muda here this morning.
The victims' family told the police that they believe Zulhusni Mohammad Ariffie, who suffers from epilepsy, had a seizure before falling into the water, prompting his father to jump into the water to rescue his son.
However, both men ended up drowning.
The bodies of Zulhusni, 29, and his father Mohamad Ariffie A Razak, 68, were found by villagers at the Kampung Tepi Sungai beach while their sinking boat was spotted by fishermen not far from the coastline.
The scene at the beach was one of anguish as the victims' family members were on hand to identify the bodies at Pasar Bisik Kota Kuala Muda.
Kuala Muda district police chief Assistant Commissioner Adzli Abu Shah said based on initial information obtained from the victims' family, the duo left their home in Kampung Matang Bagan at 7am for their routine fishing trip.
"The family was informed on the discovery of the bodies about 10.50am and rushed to the scene to identify the bodies.
"The family suspected that Zulhusni had a seizure and fell into the sea while his father had tried to rescue him. Both men ended up drowning," he said in a statement.
Adzli said the bodies were sent to the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital. Police have ruled out any element of foul play.
"We have classified the case as sudden death," he said.
Mohamad Ariffie's widow, Latipah Din, 60, said despite his epilepsy, her son had been accompanying his father on fishing trips since he was 18.
Latipah believed her husband had tried to rescue their son.
"My husband was a good swimmer. We are still in shock but we accept it as fate," she said when met at their home.