An eight-year-old boy has drowned in Sungai Muda in Kedah after going to the river with friends, with police ruling out foul play.
SIK: An eight-year-old boy drowned in Sungai Muda in Kampung Tanjung Jeneri near here.
The victim, Muhammad Fatah Saiful, a pupil of SK Kota Bukit, had left his house to cycle with friends.
Sik District Police deputy chief DSP Safuan Md Noor said the boy went to the river with his friends.
He is believed to have drowned shortly after jumping into the water.
“The victim’s house is only a five-minute walk from the river, and as he could not swim, it is believed to be the first time he had gone there,” Safuan said in a statement.
The boy’s friends sought help from villagers after the incident.
A man managed to pull the victim by the leg to the riverbank.
The victim’s mother became aware after receiving a call informing her that her son was found unconscious.
Ministry of Health personnel pronounced the boy dead at the scene.
His body was sent to Sik Hospital for a post-mortem.
“The case has been classified as sudden death,” Safuan said.
No physical injuries were found on the victim’s body, and police have ruled out foul play.