KOTA KINABALU: A swimming outing for three friends turned tragic with one of them feared drowned and another, in critical condition.

The trio – two aged 17 years old and a 15-year-old – had gone swimming at a beach near a resort at Kg Tempurung in the Kuala Penyu district prior to the incident on Saturday (Dec 17) afternoon.

It was drizzling and the waves were choppy at the time.

Kuala Penyu fire station chief Awang Mohd Sabree said according to witnesses, the three boys had gotten into trouble mid-swimming.

“People at the resort cafe saw the boys struggling in the sea with strong waves pulling them underwater, and ran to assist while others called for help,” he said.

He said they managed to rescue two of the teens – Mohamad Hafizan, 17, and Mohamad Hafizan, 15, but one – Iqwan Haikal – disappeared underwater.

Awang said they received a distress call at 4.36pm.

A team comprising water rescuers and other personnel was sent to respond, he said.

He said the two rescued boys were given preliminary treatment before they were sent to the hospital.

“For the search of the third victim, our men conducted a surface water search and rescue on a 2km radius from where the boy was last seen,” said Awang.

The search had to be halted at 7.07pm due to weather and sight conditions.

“We will resume our search on Sunday (Dec 18) morning,” he said.

Of the two rescued boys, one was reported to be in stable condition while the other was serious.