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A senior citizen is believed to have drowned after his vehicle skidded and plunged into Sungai Kenawar at Kampung Paya Lenga, Johor, on Wednesday, 8 July
According to China Press, the victim's daughter said the incident occurred after her 76-year-old father drove her to Segamat Hospital for a medical appointment at 9am.
After her appointment, she was unable to find him and assumed he had gone home. However, she later learned from her family that he had never returned.
The family immediately contacted relatives and searched the areas around the hospital and a nearby clinic, where the victim was also scheduled to attend an appointment
Despite their efforts, they were unable to locate him.
"It wasn't until around 7pm, when my cousin received a call from the police, that we learned a plantation worker had discovered my father's submerged car. Tragically, he had already drowned," she told the Chinese daily.
She believed her father had been looking for a parking space when his vehicle plunged into the river during heavy rain.
It is understood strong river currents caused the vehicle to be swept about 800m from where it skidded into the river.
Bandar Baru Segamat Fire and Rescue Station operations commander Senior Fire Officer I Mohd Faizal Mohamed Salleh said firefighters received an emergency call at about 5.48pm
He said rescuers used specialised equipment, including ropes and a spinal board, to retrieve the victim from the submerged vehicle, reported Kosmo!.
"The victim, who was driving a Proton Iswara, was found drowned inside the vehicle that had sunk in the river," he said.
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and his body was sent to Segamat Hospital for further action.
Mohd Faizal added that the rescue operation concluded at 7.46pm.
