KOTA KINABALU: A worker drowned after falling off a sand dredging boat while attempting to fix its anchor rope, which broke due to rough sea conditions in Kudat.
The victim, identified as Mohd Azman Idris, 31, had fallen into the sea from the vessel near Pantai Bangau Sikuati at around 4pm, Thursday (Aug 14).
Kudat Fire Station chief Darickson Galanang said two other workers jumped into the sea to rescue Azman when he fell, but the sea was too choppy.
They managed to grab Azman and held on to him using a rope, but were prevented from climbing back on board by the strong waves.
A distress call was received at around 4.46pm and a team of 12 personnel was sent to the rescue, he said.
Darickson said they arrived at 5.10pm, and together with other agencies including Civil Defence, police, marine cops and Health officials, conducted the rescue operation.
“When we arrived, the three victims had floated close to the shore. Azman was declared dead by medical officials on site while the two others - Muhammad Haseef Bin Abdul Rahman, 29, and Aidil Adman Bin Said, 49, survived,” he said.
He said Azman’s body was later handed over to police for further action, while the two survivors were taken to the hospital for further treatment.
Operations on the scene ended at about 6.43pm, said Darickson.
Based on Meteorological Department records, seas near Labuan, which are also close to Kudat, were subject to first-category strong winds and rough seas from Aug 14 to Aug 16.
