MARAN: The search and rescue (SAR) operation for a secondary school teacher who is feared drowned after he slipped and fell into Sungai Pahang while fishing near the Chenor jetty here, resumed at 8am today.
Murdani Ab Rahman, 53, was reported to have fallen into the river before he was swept away by strong currents at 6pm yesterday.
District police chief Superintendent Wong Kim Wai said Murdani, attached to SM Tengku Ampuan Afzan Chenor, had gone fishing with a friend on a raft house at Pekan Lama Chenor around 5.50pm.
"Some 10 minutes later, Murdani fell into the river before he was swept away by strong currents, The friend sought assistance from some nearby villagers but they could not rescue the victim.
"Villagers alerted the authorities before SAR operations involving the policemen, Fire and Rescue department and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force began at 7.45pm. The operation was suspended at 9.30pm due to heavy rain," he said in a statement.
Wong said the operation resumed at 8am today and the SAR teams were joined by nearby villagers.