SUNGAI PETANI - An elderly man was found floating with his one-year-old seven months grandson in an old pond near a grilled fish restaurant near Taman Kempas here at about 7pm on Monday.
The incident was noticed by public who passed through the area before calling the authorities for help.
Kuala Muda District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Zaidy Che Hassan said the 78-year-old victim and his grandson were believed to be on their way home in Kampung Permatang Berangan, Pinang Tunggal when the incident happened.
He said the police received information at 7.20pm through a MERS 999 call that two victims were seen floating in the pool.
"The Deputy Police Chief of Tikam Batu Station along with five members arrived at the scene at 7.28pm and found the victim floating in an abandoned pool that was one meter deep.
"However, the victim was removed with the help of the public," he said.
According to Zaidy, the witness who is an employee of a grilled fish restaurant stated that he saw people gathering in the old pond area and when he approached he found that there were two drowned victims and made an emergency call.
"At the same time, an interview with the child's father stated that his son was always taken by the grandfather for a walk every evening after picking up the grandson from his mother who worked at a restaurant in Jalan Kempas not far from there.
"Until 7pm, he found that the two had not returned, causing him to search around the area before seeing people gathered near the pond. When he arrived, he found that the two were already floating," he said.
Zaidy explained, the examination of the victim and the scene found no elements of crime.
Both bodies were taken to the Forensic Department of Hospital Sultan Abdul Halim Sungai Petani for the post-mortem process.