RANAU: A 15-year-old boy drowned while swimming with friends in Sungai Liwagu at Kampung Paginatan on Saturday evening.
The victim, Fredy Andy, a Form Three student at a secondary school here, went to the river with three friends at about 5.30pm due to the hot weather.
It was initially assumed the river had receded after several weeks of dry weather, but its depth remained unchanged.
Ranau Fire Station Chief Rantey Fred said the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call via the NG999 line regarding the incident.
He said the public reported that the victim was believed to have drowned while swimming with three friends.
The victim’s friends attempted to rescue him but were unsuccessful, and he was later found by villagers at about 6pm and taken to the Paginatan Health Clinic before the Fire and Rescue Department arrived.
Rantey said personnel proceeded to the clinic to obtain further information.
