Senior citizen found drowned after car plunges into river

SUNGAI PETANI: An elderly man who went missing after the car he was driving skidded and plunged into Sungai Lubuk Kawah, along Jalan Lubuk Segintah - Lubuk Kawah, was found drowned today.

The body of Mat Yusof Hashim, 77, was discovered at 9.15am on the second day of the search and rescue operation conducted by the Fire and Rescue Department and the police.

Kuala Muda police chief Assistant Commissioner Hanyan Ramlan said the victim's body was found within a 50 to 100-metre radius of where his vehicle was located yesterday.

He added that the victim was fully clothed when found and his body will be sent to the Forensic Department of Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Star.

"We thank the video owner who contacted the police immediately after the incident, which facilitated the search operation until the victim's body was recovered," he said when contacted today.

In the incident two nights ago, Mat Yusof, who was driving alone, went missing after the Proton Wira he was driving skidded and fell into the river at Jalan Lubuk Segintah–Lubuk Kawah.

The accident occurred shortly after the victim dropped off his future wife Nisun Che Mat, 69, in Sidam following dinner and discussions regarding their wedding scheduled for Dec 12.

Mat Yusof was driving back to his home in Jalan Masjid, Felda Teloi Timur, Jalan Kuala Ketil when the incident happened at 11.40pm.