KUALA TERENGGANU (Bernama): Four family members would have drowned if not for the quick action of anglers and passers-by, who helped them escape their sinking vehicle.

The two adult women and two girls were in a four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicle that slid backward into Sungai Terengganu at Pulau Warisan here Friday (Feb 8) night.

However, a man, identified as Abdul Bari Asyraf Mohd, 31, from Kampung Panji, is missing and feared drowned while trying to help the victims.

Terengganu Fire and Rescue Department operation head Mazimi Mohamad said 21 officers rushed to the scene after receiving a distress call at about 9.45 pm.

“When the firemen arrived, all the victims had been rescued by passers-by,” he said, adding that the rescue team also involved the marine police and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force.

Mazimi said the incident happened when the driver of the 4WD attempted to shift the car but accidentally put it in reverse, causing it to move backward and plunge into the river.

The four victims were sent to Sultanah Nur Zahirah (HSNZ) Hospital for treatment, he said, adding that the 4WD was recovered at about 1am Saturday (Feb 9).

Mazimi said rescuers were still searching for Abdul Bari.

When contacted, Abdul Bari's mother Masitah Awang, 60, said her son had left home after Asar prayers to go fishing with a friend.

"He really liked to fish. Any free time he had, he would go out fishing with his friends," she said when met by Bernama at the location.

Masitah said she found out about the incident after her husband, Mohd Mustafa, 66, received a telephone call from the police at about 10pm Friday. - Bernama