JITRA: The body of a 12-year-old boy was found inside his parents' Proton Saga which had plunged into Sungai Korok, here, today.
The body of Muhammad Khairil Muhaimin Mohd Suhaimi, was found drowned inside the car by Fire and Rescue Department divers during a search and rescue operation.
The boy became trapped in the vehicle, though his parents Nurul Aqmar Zainol, 34, who is seven months into a pregnancy, and Suhaimi Hassan, 36, managed to escape with light injuries.
It is understood that the family lives in Pokok Sena and were travelling from the direction of Tanjung Kapur towards Jitra town when the incident occurred.
Kedah Fire and Rescue Department director Sayani Saidon said Khairil's body was retrieved when the car was brought up from the riverbed with the help of a tow truck.
He said the operation took two hours and involved 17 firemen from the Jitra station, including members of the Water Rescue Team.
"The water level was not high, but perhaps when the car went out of control, slammed into a tree and went over the banks into the river, the child was unable to save himself," he said at the scene.
Sayani said rescuers managed to locate the vehicle quickly, but not in time to save the child, adding that the operation was ended at 4.20pm.
Meanwhile, Kubang Pasu police chief Superintendent Rodzi Abu Hassan said the incident occurred about 2.40pm
"No other vehicle was believed to have been involved in the crash. The body of the child was sent to the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital forensics department in Alor Star for further action," he said.