KOTA KINABALU: A senior citizen was found dead in a river in the northern Kota Belud district, some 70km from here, on Friday (Dec 29).

       The 83-year-old victim is believed to have drowned while fishing at the site in Kampung Gaur.

       Kota Belud Fire Station chief Muhammad Syazwan Latun said the victim was initially found at about 1pm by villagers who then alerted the authorities.

       “Upon reaching the location, we found the body floating face down in the river,” he said when contacted.

       “Our personnel then retrieved the body of the victim and placed him by the riverside,” he said, adding that the remains were handed over to the police for the next course of action.

       He said the operation ended at 2.40pm.