Singaporean cyclist who went missing during Ipoh race found dead after 3 days

After going missing halfway through a 160km cycling event in Ipoh, Malaysia, on May 6, Abdul Samat Bin Ismail was found dead yesterday (May 9) afternoon, three days after his disappearance. 

The 56-year-old was found at around 1.50pm by a volunteer search party, at approximately 13km away from the finish line in Gopeng, Perak.

He was suspected to have fallen off his bicycle after fainting, Perak police chief Ahmad Tarmizi Shaari told The Straits Times.

Having ruled out foul play, the police are now conducting an autopsy, said the police chief.

Group leader Mr Liu De Wei, 45, told Lianhe Wanbao that Mr Samat had a leg cramp at 1.45pm, leading him to take a break at the 24km mark of the journey.

Mr Liu said: "Although he had a leg cramp, his body was in good condition.

"Hence, everyone decided to continue their journey towards the finishing point as they thought that he would slowly catch up with them.

"However, when he was still missing at about 3pm, his fellow cyclists decided to call him but there was no answer."

Everyone then went back to the hotel to re-group, before making their way back to Singapore, but Mr Samat remained unseen and uncontactable.

Mr Liu then called the police.

About 50 police officers searched the area on Tuesday night with the assistance of dogs, said his friend, bicycle shop owner Mohamed Fadzli Hayof.

The organiser also sent a search party of 40 people on motorcycles to nearby areas.

Mr Fadzli, 38, got to know Mr Samat over the past two years as the latter was a frequent patron of his shop.

"He's like a father figure to me. He always comes over to play with my kids, and he supports my shop," he said.

Read the full story on The Straits Times.