Capsized Speedboat In Port Klang Claims 5 Lives, Including 3 Family Members
One of the victims was just 3 years old.
By Yap Wan Xiang β 09 Jun 2025, 02:57 PM
A family of three and two others were found dead after a speedboat capsized off the coast of Port Klang last Friday, 6 June
According to the New Straits Times, the family members were identified as 3-year-old Darren Gan and his parents, Gan Hon Tat, 32, and Careen Man, 29.
The other victims were their friend, Fong Yong Sen, 29, and another man, Cheu Son Hin, 50.
China Press reported that the group had gone out to sea near Tanjung Harapan, Port Klang at around 5pm last Friday to test a speedboat following recent repairs.
The vessel reportedly capsized while making a U-turn, throwing all six occupants into the water. The sole survivor has been identified as 17-year-old Chang Yan Qin.
Selangor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh stated that Darren was found in the front section of the boat alongside Cheu
"Another male victim found dead at the scene was their friend, Fong Yong Sen," the New Straits Times quoted him as saying on Saturday, 7 June.
Darren's parents were initially reported missing after the incident. Their bodies were later recovered by rescue teams at around 7.45am yesterday, 8 June.
They were found floating roughly 200m apart and about 0.1 nautical miles from the National Hydrographic Centre.
The case is currently being investigated under Section 280 of the Penal Code for rash navigation of a vessel, reported Bernama.
Police believe that none of the victims were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, fisherman Gan Leong Seong, a relative of the family, said he rushed to the scene after learning that his relatives had not returned from their trip
Prior to the incident, he had just finished setting up nets about 1km from the site, reported the New Straits Times.
"After finishing work, I was on my way home when the eldest brother of the deceased called to say the group hadn't returned after taking the boat out.
"I immediately turned back and, upon arrival, found that the boat had already capsized," he recounted.
Leong Seong shared that he dived twice in dark and hazardous conditions before discovering the body of his grandnephew, Darren, in the front cabin of the overturned boat.
"I started searching underneath the boat after it was towed to the Selangor MMEA jetty.
"My first attempt failed, but when my brother jumped in and found one of the victims' legs, I immediately dived back in without thinking twice.
"The smell of fuel was strong, and it was difficult to breathe. But when I saw Darren, I gathered the courage to quickly retrieve him," he said.
Leong Seong last saw the family during Chinese New Year celebrations earlier this year.
He also shared that he and his nephew, Hon Tat, had been co-running a fishing tackle shop for the past year.
"The deceased couple married four years ago and had a child. Perhaps they were destined to leave together," China Press quoted him as saying.
