SINGAPORE: The search is on for a 32-year-old man who fell into the water after his canoe capsized on Lower Seletar Reservoir on Sunday afternoon.

His wife, who was with him in the double-seater canoe, was rescued shortly after the accident happened.

At about 11.15am, Khoka Mohammed Burhan and his wife Noorliza Yahya rented the kayak from the People Association's Water-Venture centre at the reservoir.

They were given a safety briefing and life jackets before they set off for a trip on the reservoir.

Family members were spending time by the water but when they lost sight of the canoe they grew concerned and contacted staff at the water-venture centre.

A rescue boat was launched and 10 minutes later Madam Noorliza Yahya was found alive on an embankment just near the Orchid Country Club.

A search then began in waters near the country club for Mr Khoka.

The Police, Singapore Civil Defence Force, naval divers as well as members of the People's Association and Public Utilities Board all took part in the search.

At around 7.30pm, the kayak was brought back to the water-venture centre along with the two paddles but just one life jacket.

The accident happened just two weeks after the Lower Seletar Reservoir came alive with the opening of the People Association's Water-Venture centre.

It is the first accident at a reservoir since October 2004 when water sports were introduced.

But it comes after a recent spate of drownings and just days before the new National Water Safety Council announces its plans to promote water safety.

Activities at the People Association's Water-Venture centre have been suspended pending an investigation. - CNA/ir