LIPIS: A man was killed after a boulder landed on him while illegally panning for gold at Sungai Kadir in Kampung Sungai Temau near here today.
The 44-year-old victim from Felcra Sungai Temau had gone to the site with two friends when the ill-fated incident struck at 4pm.
Lipis police chief Superintendent Azli Mohd Nor said a member of the public alerted the Merapoh police station about the incident about 4.30pm.
"The victim was believed to be panning for gold illegally with two others at the Sungai Kadir tributary. He was below a hill slope when a boulder suddenly landed on him, injuring his chest and waist.
"The victim died on the spot. His two friends immediately ran to the nearby village to seek help to bring him out before villagers alerted the police," he said, adding the victim's remains were taken to Kuala Lipis Hospital.
Azli said initial investigations revealed the prohibited gold mining site was located inside a forest reserve and the area was about 3km from Felcra Sungai Temau.