Two Trainee Teachers, 19, Drown In Setiu

BANDAR PERMAISURI, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- Two students of Dato' Razali Ismail Campus Teacher Education Institute (IPG) in Kuala Nerus drowned after one fell into the river, followed by a botched rescue, at Sungai Dusun Warisan, Jalan Pelong near Kampung Basong here today.

Setiu police chief Supt Mohd Zain Mat Dris said the two drowning victims were Muhammad Hazmi Othman from Sungai Petani, Kedah and Adam Arief Jazlansanadi from Kuala Lumpur, both aged 19.

He said the incident occurred at about 11.15 am when Muhammad Hazmi courageously tried to save his friend, Adam Arief, who had fallen into the river.

"Before the tragic incident, it is said that Adam Arief was on a rock when he slipped and tried to cling to a friend. Watching nearby, Muhammad Hazmi jumped into the river to save Adam Arief but he too drowned due to the swirling waters.

"Muhammad Hazmi's body was found first by villagers at 12.05 pm, followed by Adam Arief's body 50 minutes later," he said in a statement today.

Mohd Zain said the bodies of the two victims were sent to the Setiu Hospital Forensic Unit for post-mortem.

He added that the two victims were part of 24 IPG students on an outing at the river.

He said initial police investigations found no criminal elements and the case has been classified as sudden death.

-- BERNAMA