Man missing from capsized boat

GEORGE TOWN: An elderly man is missing after a boat capsized yesterday evening.
He was one of six who were on a surveying mission looking for rocks to be used as wave barriers in the ongoing Gurney Drive reclamation project.
The boat was off the North Beach coast, along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, when it capsized around 7pm after experiencing rough seas.
In relating the ordeal to reporters, Hamdan Osman, 35, said he and another two grabbed a floating marker while another three held onto an oil drum after the boat sank.
He said they had tried to hold on to the missing man but eventually lost their grip.
"A boat passed by and we waved for help, luckily we were rescued as we were getting tired," the Indonesian national said.
Jalan Perak Fire and Rescue Services operations commander Nazari Mustapha said emergency personnel were notified about 9pm.
He said the seven were on their way back to Gurney Drive after surveying Pulau Jerjak for stones when the incident happened.
"A local and five Malaysians have been rescued," he said to reporters while it is understood the search operation is still ongoing.