KOTA KINABALU: A 51-year-old driver suffered serious injuries after the fertiliser-laden lorry he was driving plunged into a ravine at Danum Valley in Lahad Datu district on Tuesday (Nov 26).
The Fire and Rescue Department received the emergency call about the incident at the conservation area at 7.24am, and the Lahad Datu fire station team, assisted by the Kunak fire station, arrived on location at 7.44am.
“The driver headed to Lahad Datu and, coming from Tawau, lost control of the vehicle carrying 41.2 tons of fertiliser in two containers and fell into the ravine at the roadside.
“Firefighters first tried to remove the victim using special tools but failed as he was pinned on his lower body,” said the department spokesman
The Fire and Rescue Department was assisted by the police, Civil Defence Force and Silam voluntary firemen.
“The medical officers on site continued to monitor the victim. He was conscious as they waited for the excavator from the lorry’s company to arrive to help.
“The victim was successfully extracted at 6.07pm using special tools and the assistance of the excavator and agencies present,” said the department spokesman
He was carried out of the 30-metre-deep ravine using a stretcher and a rope,
“He was given first aid and then sent to the hospital using an ambulance,” said the department spokesman.
