The tree that fell on the police van and killed a GOF personnel.
KOTA KINABALU: A General Operations Force (GOF) personnel was killed after a tree fell onto the police van he was driving in Sabah’s east coast Lahad Datu district.
The incident occurred at Jalan Gelugor, near Felda Sahabat 16, at about 2.30pm on Friday (June 21).
Corporal Zeno Gungoh, who was attached to the 17th GOF Battalion in Lahad Datu, was confirmed to have died at the scene due to severe injuries.
The victim once served as a special action unit personnel and was also involved in the operation against the foreign incursion in Lahad Datu 11 years ago in 2013.
Lahad Datu police chief Asst Comm Dzulbaharin Ismail said that, according to initial investigations, the victim was on his way from Komtek Sahabat 16 GOF to Sahabat 16 when the incident occurred.
He said a tree on the right side of the road suddenly fell on the van while driving through the location.
“The incident was witnessed by another policeman riding a police scrambler motorcycle from the opposite direction,” he said in a statement on Friday.
"The victim was later confirmed to have died at the scene,” he added.
ACP Dzulbaharin said the probe was ongoing under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
“Any individual who saw the incident may contact the investigating officer, Insp Humaidi Harun, at 089-881255 to help in the probe or come straight to the Lahad Datu police station,” he said.
