Disabled elderly man in Malaysia drowns after falling into river in Perak fishing village

MALAYSIA: A quiet morning in a fishing village in Perak, Malaysia, ended in tragedy when a 77-year-old elderly man with mobility difficulties drowned after accidentally falling into a river while heading out for breakfast.

The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning at Bagan Sungai Tiang in Bagan Datuk.

The victim, identified as Chen Liang Fa (transliterated), was known among villagers as a friendly and familiar figure who regularly ventured out on his electric wheelchair to have morning tea.

According to village representatives, Chen left his home at around 6am, travelling along a path beside the river in front of the village.

It was during this journey that he is believed to have lost control of his electric wheelchair and plunged into the river, falling in together with the wheelchair.

Community Mobilises in Desperate Search

When news of the incident spread, members of the village’s volunteer fire brigade, along with Malay and Chinese villagers, quickly mobilised to search the river for Chen.

Wang Ya Lin (transliterated), a local fishermen’s leader, said that volunteers searched the river tirelessly after the incident was reported.

During the search, villagers managed to retrieve Chen’s electric wheelchair and his prosthetic limb from the water, confirming fears that he had fallen in.

In an effort to prevent the current from carrying Chen further downstream and possibly out to sea, villagers took the additional step of closing the village’s water gate. Despite these efforts, Chen himself was not immediately found.

Firefighters Recover Body Near Fall Site

Firefighters from the Bagan Datuk Fire and Rescue Station later arrived at the scene to assist with the recovery operation.

Using specialised equipment, they focused their search near the area where Chen was believed to have fallen.

Their efforts eventually led to the discovery of Chen’s body approximately two metres from the point where he had entered the water.

The recovery was completed at around 8.40am.

Medical personnel who were present at the scene examined Chen and confirmed that he had already passed away.

His body was subsequently handed over to the police for further investigation and standard post-incident procedures.

Family and Authorities Respond

Wang accompanied Chen’s wife, Lin Ya Hua (transliterated), to the police station to lodge an official report.

It was revealed that Chen leaves behind his wife and six children — five sons and one daughter.

A spokesperson for the Perak Fire and Rescue Department confirmed the timeline of the rescue operation and reiterated that the body had been successfully recovered and transferred to the authorities.

The incident has cast a somber mood over the close-knit fishing village, highlighting the vulnerabilities faced by elderly and mobility-impaired individuals, especially in rural areas where waterways are often close to residential paths.

Residents expressed shock and sadness over the sudden loss, noting that Chen’s daily routine was a familiar sight in the village. 

Investigations into the incident are ongoing, though it is currently believed to have been an unfortunate accident.