Row boat game turns tragic for primary school boy in Labuan

LABUAN: A row boat game turned tragic for three school boys when one of them drowned after their boat capsized off Kerupang waters near Taman Arena, Kg Kerupang here yesterday.
The victim, identified as Aiman Ashraf Rashid, 11, a primary five student was found floating face-down by rescue teams, not far from Pulau Papan, at about 7.39am today.
Labuan Fire and Rescue Department director Zainal Madasin said the incident occurred at about 3.30pm when the victim, the son of a government servant, was playing with his two friends on the boat at the seafront not far from their house.
"However, the boat was hit by a sudden wave and sank while the boy was dragged into the sea by waves. His two friends survived and immediately alerted the boy's mother," he said.
Zainal said a distress call was received at about 3.56pm and a Search and Rescue operation (SAR) assisted by police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Malaysian Civil Defence Department (JPAM), villagers, members of the public and family members was launched.
"We believe his two friends made efforts to try and rescue the victim but they were not successful," he said. — Bernama