IPOH: Two friends tragically drowned when one of them tried to save the other at the Batu Berangkai waterfall in Kampar.

       Police said Muhammad Amirul Hafidz Ma’asor was trying to rescue Muhammad Fikri Adam Azmi but both ended up drowning in the 10am incident yesterday.

       Kampar OCPD Supt Mohamad Nazri Daud said Muhammad Fikri had shouted for help and Muhammad Amirul jumped into the water to save him.

       “In a state of panic, both victims, who did not know how to swim, drowned.

       “Their two other friends managed to pull Muhammad Fikri out of the water but he was already unconscious while Muhammad Amirul sank,” he said in a statement.

       Supt Mohamad Nazri said Muhammad Amirul’s body was found by Kampar Fire and Rescue personnel at about 11.15am.

       Muhammad Amirul was from Sungai Ayer Tawar while Muhammad Fikri was from Sabak Bernam, both in Selangor. Both were 20 years old.

       He said all four friends were the only ones picnicking at the waterfall.

       “All of them were from Selangor and had travelled to Kampar on motorcycles,” he added.

       The Batu Berangkai waterfall is one of the deadliest waterfalls in the country, having reportedly claimed the lives of seven people in the past.

       In November 2009, three Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman students drowned after they were swept away by a sudden torrent of water while two 16-year-old students drowned there in July 2015.

       The latest tragedy is similar to the incident that occurred in September 2015, when two brothers drowned.

       The younger brother had difficulties staying afloat after getting into the water and the elder brother swam in to save him, but both were dragged down by undercurrents.