Autistic boy, 6, drowns at Kuala Kerteh beach

KEMAMAN – An autistic boy died after being swept away by waves while playing at the water's edge of Kuala Kerteh beach here today.

The body of Muhammad Syahmi Farhan Mohd. Firdaus, 6, was found by members of the public assisting in the search operation at 5.43pm.

Kerteh Fire and Rescue Station operations commander Mokhtar Dollah said a team of firefighters rushed to the scene as soon as they received information about the incident at 3.43pm.

He said the boy had been out with his family members at the recreational beach before the incident.

"The victim, who was playing in the sand at the water's edge, was said to have suddenly gone missing according to his family members, who then contacted the rescue team," he said.

"The victim was found submerged at a depth of 1.5 metres on the seabed, about 30 metres from the spot where he was last seen," he added.

Mokhtar said the body was sent to the Forensic Unit of Hospital Kemaman here for further action.

The distance between where the boy was last seen and where he was found indicates he had been carried some way from the shoreline before being located.

The search, which lasted about two hours, also drew in members of the public who were at the beach at the time.