Students drown while bathing in river

Three primary school students drowned while bathing in Sungai Kampung Inanam Laut near here today.

Kota Kinabalu police chief ACP M.Chandra, in a statement, said the students are Haikal Faiz Abdullah, 10, Shahrizal Azhar, 9, and Mohd Kharil Marisani, 10.

"The incident happened about 3.40 pm after the students returned from school. They were bathing in the river when one of them got into difficulties.

"His two friends attempted to help, but they too, got into difficulties," he added.

He said passers-by went to their rescue, but the children, who were found unconscious, died during treatment at Likas Hospital.

Meanwhile, in GEORGE TOWN, a Form Three student, M.Philips Damian, is feared to have drowned when he disappeared while bathing with friends in Sungai Kerian, Nibong Tebal, today.

Penang Fire and Rescue Department commander of operations, Khairizan Izam Khalid, said a search and rescue operation was mounted after the department was informed of the incident at 11.47 am. --BERNAMA