A Russian father and son drowned after they were thrown off a rubber boat that hit a rock during a river rafting expedition in Pahang, police said today

Two other members of the family survived Monday's accident on the river near Lipis by clinging to some rocks, said local police chief Mohamad Sakaruddin Che Mood.

He identifed the victims as Nikolai Zimin, 44, and his 17-year-old son, Andrey. Zimin's wife Elina and their daughter Maria survived.

"It occurred when their boat hit a large stone during a rafting expedition," Mohamad was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency.

"Nikolai and Andrey were said to have failed to grab on to the stones in the fast-moving river."

Police said the bodies were recovered late Monday and had been taken to a nearby hospital. - AFP