KUANTAN: A picnic for a group of friends at Sungai Berkelah at a recreational forest Waterfall Jalan Maran-Gambang near here today turned tragic when one of them - a disabled youth - drowned.
The remains of Harun Mahmud, 20, were recovered at the bottom of the river by a search and rescue team about 12.55pm today.
Two of his friends aged 15 and 19, who were swept away by strong currents in the 11.30am incident, clung to tree branches.
They are currently treated at the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital(HTAA) here.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Wan Mohd Zahari Wan Busu said investigations that revealed Harun, a person with disability, had gone to the waterfall with six friends on motorcycles about 11am.
"Harun and six friends went swimming upstream at the waterfall. Several minutes later, three of them including Harun went to the deeper section of the river before they were swept away by strong currents.
"Harun disappeared underwater while two of his friends managed to hold on to the tree branches along the riverbank. His friend could not do anything to locate him as the section was very deep," he said in a statement today.
Wan Mohd Zahari said police were alerted about 11.51pm before going to the waterfall with the Fire and Rescue department and a medical team from HTAA.
He said firemen began searching the area before divers found the victim at a depth of seven metres on the riverbed about 12.54pm.
"Harun's death was confirmed by the medical team and his remains were taken to HTAA. His two friends were taken in an ambulance to be treated at thesame hospital," he said.
Meanwhile, Pahang Fire and Rescue Department public relations officer Zulfadli Zakaria said the Taman Tas Fire and Rescue station was alerted to the incident.
"Seven firemen were deployed to the picnic spot. Rescue personnel used the water surface searching technique and grappling iron to locate the victim at the waterfall," he said.