LAHAD DATU: An elderly man who was trapped after the cement tanker he was driving skidded and fell into a ravine at Batu 18, Jalan Sandakan-Lahad Datu, earlier this morning, was confirmed dead after being extracted.
The victim, Abd Halim Bolong, 72, was only removed around noon today, approximately 10 hours after the accident occurred due to the difficulty in pulling the cement tanker out of the 10m-deep ravine.
District Fire and Rescue Station chief Sumsoa Rashid said they received an emergency call about the incident at 2.42am.
He said 10 personnel and officers, along with four fire engines, were dispatched to the scene to conduct rescue operations.
"Upon arrival, the fire brigade found that the accident involved a cement tanker that had skidded off the road and fallen into a 10m-deep ravine.
"The truck driver was trapped and buried in the soil before being successfully extricated by the fire brigade around noon," he said when contacted today.
According to him, the victim suffered severe injuries from being buried and was confirmed dead by medical personnel at the scene.
"The victim's body was then sent to the hospital, and the case has been handed over to the police for further action," he added.