KOTA KINABALU: A tractor driver was killed after being electrocuted while trying to rescue his friend who was trapped in a burning truck.
The victim, identified as John Adam Baudi, 56, was operating a backhoe while his friend was on a truck unloading sand near Kg Samparita, Kota Marudu district at around 11am, Tuesday (Nov 14).
Kota Marudu Fire Station chief Mohd Hasbi Hajat said based on information gathered, John had run out of his tractor to help his truck driver friend when he saw that the dump of the truck had caught fire.
"It turned out that the dump had touched a live wire when it was tipped over to unload sand and caught fire," he said when contacted.
"Not knowing that, the tractor driver had gotten electrocuted upon touching the door handle in an attempt to get his friend out of the truck," he said.
John fell unconscious and was pronounced dead by medical officials and policemen on the scene, said Hasbi.
He said the truck driver, who was injured, was taken to the hospital by other workers in the area.
"The other workers had used sticks to get the man away from the vehicle as they were concerned about the possible presence of electricity on the man or truck," he said.
Hasbi said firemen reached the scene not long after receiving a call at around 11.35am.
"Our men managed to bring the fire under control at 12.35pm and operations ceased at 12.53pm," he said, adding the electric cable was removed and electricity was shut off following the accident.
The latest condition of the truck driver has yet to be ascertained at press time.
