KOTA TINGGI: Two women were rescued by a man who jumped into a drain overflowing with gushing floodwaters after their car skidded into it, along KM 42.5 of the Johor Baru - Mersing Highway, here today.
The man risked his life by jumping into the drain to rescue one of the two women struggling to hold onto the rear of the Perodua Myvi against strong currents in the water-filled drain.
Kota Tinggi police chief Superintendent Hussin Zamora confirmed the incident occurred at 9.20am today.
The incident unfolded when the 37-year-old Myvi driver lost control of her vehicle and skidded before landing into the drain, while she and her 43-year-old passenger, were heading towards Kota Tinggi, in heavy downpour.
They were both rescued by passers-by.
Earlier, a 14-second footage of a man leaping into the drain full of gushing water to rescue the woman went viral.
The footage uploaded on the Orang Kota-Tinggi Facebook page captured a woman in distress, being swept away by strong currents.
Seconds later, a man leaped and helped the woman to the drain's embankment, while the car was swept away. The footage abruptly ended.
Hussin said the driver escaped injuries, while her passenger sustained minor injuries and was rushed to the Kota Tinggi Hospital.
"They both were badly shaken by the incident but fortunately nothing untoward happened," Hussin said.
The Myvi was swept away, and is yet to be recovered as of press time.
The unidentified rescuer did not lodge a report.
It is learnt that he too escaped injuries, and immediately left the scene, after his heroic act.