A 17-YEAR-OLD boy is believed to have died after being struck by lightning while catching crabs in a boat with his father near Pulau Merambong, Johor, this morning.

Iskandar Puteri police chief Rahmat Ariffin said in the incident at about 8.15am, the victim died at the scene, whereas his 60-year-old father escaped unhurt.

“It was raining heavily and the victim and his father were in a boat powered by a 15-horsepower engine. The victim died while trying to get a buoy to pull a fishing net that had been installed the previous day to catch crabs.”

According to Rahmat, the teenager, from Kampung Ladang in Gelang Patah, worked as a fisherman with his father. – Bernama, June 30, 2023.