KOTA BELUD: A team of firefighters took approximately 20 minutes to rescue a 75-year-old farmer trapped in mud while working in a padi field.
Kota Belud fire station chief Muhammad Syazwan Latun said the Fire and Rescue Department was alerted to the incident in Kampung Tempasuk II at 3.28pm.
He said, according to villagers, the farmer left home at 7.30am.
"He was probably trapped around 9.30am, but villagers only found him around 2.30pm, before they alerted the authorities," he said, adding that the farmer was buried up to his waist.
The man became stuck in mud while applying herbicide to the crops.
A team of nine firefighters were deployed to the scene.
"With assistance local villagers, firefighters successfully freed him and handed him over to his family.
"The operation was deemed under control, with no further hazards identified, and was concluded at 3.57pm," said Syazwan.