"It all happened when Andan was flashing his torchlight in the water," she said when met at the Alor Star Hospital mortuary yesterday. Maria said his friend heard Adnan screaming for help. When the friend went to his aid, Adnan had already 'pulled'' out the fish from the right side of his head.

"Adnan was sent to Langkawi Hospital at 2am on Sunday and was transfered to Alor Star Hospital at 7pm the same day," she said.

"I have heard of swordfish attacking human beings and never imagined that my husband would be a victim."

A police spokesman said police had classified the case as sudden death.

Be cautious of swordfish

Kedah fishermen have been advised to be cautious of the swordfish (ikan todak), especially near the Pulau Payar Marine Park area following a fatal attack on a fisherman near Pulau Singa. Kedah Fisheries Department director Sani Mohd Isa said the fish, with a long sword-like beak, are expected to be found in abundance in Langkawi waters between October and December.

He said the fish followed the flow of currents from the Indian Ocean towards the northern parts of Malaysian waters.

"Fishermen are advised to be on full alert when going out to sea to prevent any mishap," he said in an interview.

"The swordfish is not dangerous but its ability to jump might catch fishermen by surprise," he added.

Sani was asked to comment on the death of fisherman Adnan Walib, 39, from Langkawi who was attacked by a swordfish near Pulau Singa waters. Adnan, from Kampung Tanjung Lembung, Langkawi, was attacked at midnight on Saturday during a fishing trip with a friend.

He was believed to have flashed a torchlight in the water when the attack occurred, injuring him on the right side of his head just above his right eye. He was admitted to Langkawi Hospital at about 2am on Sunday, then transferred to Alor Star Hospital where he died at 4pm on Monday.

The Star - November 22 & 23, 2005