K. Suresh, a skilled swimmer and supervisor, went missing after flash floods hit Saloma Bridge area
PETALING JAYA: The brother of a construction site supervisor who is believed to have been swept away by flash floods near Saloma Bridge has revealed that the victim was an accomplished swimmer who even taught others how to swim.
Speaking to Harian Metro, K. Suren, 32, said his older brother K. Suresh had been working at the incident location for approximately 70 days as a construction site supervisor when tragedy struck yesterday evening.
Suren recalled that he had spoken with his brother around 3pm yesterday, during which Suresh mentioned it was raining heavily at his work site.
“I was shocked to learn about the tragedy after receiving a call from our father at around 8.30pm,” he told the Malay daily.
Speaking to reporters at the scene today, Suren emphasised his brother’s swimming abilities while acknowledging the overwhelming power of the flash flood.
“My brother could swim and he even taught people how to swim, but the strong current at the location may have been too much for him to handle.
“He was definitely a good swimmer, but in a situation with such fierce and powerful water flow, it may have been difficult for him to do anything,” he explained.
The victim, who resided in Rawang, Selangor, was married with a six-year-old son.
Family members were observed at the incident site today, anxiously awaiting updates on the search and rescue (SAR) operation to locate Suresh.
The Kuala Lumpur Operations Control Centre received an emergency call through the Titiwangsa Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) hotline at 5.30pm yesterday regarding flooding that had trapped workers.
Following the alert, fire and rescue personnel from BBP Titiwangsa and support from BBP Jalan Hang Tuah were immediately dispatched to the location.
Upon arrival, rescue teams discovered 12 individuals trapped beneath the bridge structure.
The emergency response team conducted rescue operations using rope systems, successfully saving 11 victims comprising one Malaysian citizen and 10 foreign workers.
However, one person was reported missing—the construction supervisor who is believed to have been swept away by the powerful current.
According to reports, the victim was attempting to relocate vehicles that had been parked under the bridge when he noticed the flash flood approaching.
It was during this effort to move the vehicles to safety that he was caught by the sudden surge of water and swept away by the intense current.
Search and rescue operations continue at Sungai Klang near Saloma Bridge as authorities work to locate the missing supervisor.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by flash floods, particularly in low-lying areas near riverbanks and under bridges, where water can rise with little warning during heavy rainfall.
The tragedy has left the victim’s family devastated as they await news while rescue teams continue their efforts to find Suresh.
