Angler dies after being hit by falling tree

A dead tree fell at the Pelagat forest reserve near here yesterday, killing one of three anglers who were sheltering from the rain in a tent erected under it, police said.

Nasir Mamat, 47, of Kampung Jeram, Pasir Putih, Kelantan, died on the spot in the incident which occurred at about 4 pm, Besut Police chief Supt Khaled Che Lah said today.

He said one of the other two anglers, Tengku Faisal Tengku Mahmud, 26, was injured in the incident. The third angler, Mohd Amirul Mukmin, 30, was unhurt.

Members of a rescue team that was sent after Mohd Amirul called the Jerteh police station took almost five hours to reach the area as they had to walk along jungle paths and cross swollen rivers, he said.

The team comprised personnel from the police, fire and rescue department, department of civil defence and several members of the Besut 4x4 team.

Khaled said Nasir, Tengku Faisal and Mohd Amirul had gone to the spot on Tuesday to fish.

Nasir's body was sent to the Besut Hospital while Tengku Faisal was given outpatient treatment there, he added.