KOTA KINABALU: A fishmonger had a close shave when he slipped and fell into a river near the Polytechnic bridge at the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park here on Tuesday (Aug 31).

       Kota Kinabalu OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Zaidi Abdullah said the 38-year-old had gone to the area with his uncle to fish at around 8.35am.

       “According to the victim’s uncle, they were preparing to set up their fishing gear when the man fell,” he said when contacted on Wednesday (Sept 1).

       The victim’s uncle scrambled down to the riverbank to save his nephew.

       The uncle then alerted the authorities after bringing his nephew to safety.

       ACP Mohd Zaidi said paramedics who arrived at the scene did a preliminary examination of the victim and found no major injuries.

       “There were cuts and bruises and he was taken to the hospital for outpatient treatment,” he said.

       Passersby who witnessed the incident recorded a video of the man being strapped to a stretcher before being taken to hospital.

       However, the video went viral with added claims that the victim had attempted suicide and an unknown person alleging that the victim felt he was pushed into the river.

       ACP Mohd Zaidi said these claims were not true.