GERIK, March 2 — It was the first visit to Lata Kulim, the scenic seven-tier waterfalls in Kampung Kenayat here yesterday for a group of 12 schoolmates.

It would also mark their last visit, after two of the teens drowned, said one of the 10 survivors who identified himself as Su, 18.

"For most of us, this is the first time visiting the waterfall. It will also be our last time,” said Su who added that the friends were all Form Four and Form Five students of SMK Batu 4 here.

Su related that the schoolmates had met up at school about 12.30pm to meet up and reached the falls about half an hour later.

"Initially Woon Hou Yien went into the water first and suddenly he slipped. When we saw him struggling, four of us jumped in to try to help him but failed,” he said, adding that three boys from their group rushed to the nearby village on their motorcycles to seek help and called the Fire and Rescue Department.

Low Yong Kang, 16, was the second victim when he jumped into the water to try and rescue Woon, but encountered trouble and was swept away by strong currents.

Woon’s grandfather Datuk Woon Tuck Hoong said he was informed of the incident by his family.

"When they told me my eldest grandchild had gone missing in the waters, I knew deep down he is gone,” said Tuck Hoong, who is also Gerik MCA division chairman.

Tuck Hoong added that his 17-year-old grandson could not swim.

"I do not understand why he went to the waterfall,” he said.

It is understood that Low was a district basketball player.

Yong Kang’s younger sister Jia Xin went on social media to express her grief upon her brother’s death.

"My beloved brother, I know you are at a faraway place and will not be coming back. It is all right, you go peacefully and go to where your heart desire. I will help to look after the family, care for mother and not let her be sad, care for sister, care for father, you need not worry,” she wrote.

"I regret that today I did not stop you, I did not tell mother you went for a swim. If not, it will not be like that,” she continued.

A Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said the department had received a distress call at 2.05pm Thursday.

"The victims, estimated at 16 and 17 years, had gone swimming at Lata Kulim in Kampung Kenayat here with their friends after school,” he said.

"Initial reports suggested that one of the victim had got into difficulty and his friend tried to save him but failed, before both of them went under the water,” he added, noting that the depth of the water was estimated at about 3.5 meters.

The first body was brought out at 3.10pm while the second body was found at 3.28pm.