KOTA KINABALU: A man was killed and another seriously injured following a mishap along Jalan Pantai heading towards Lahad Datu town early Friday (Jan 23).
In the incident, the two men were travelling in a four-wheel-drive vehicle when the driver, Wilyamil Ahajul, 34, was believed to have lost control, crashed into a road divider, and plunged into an open sewer hole under construction.
It was learnt that the project was handled by a government department, and barriers had been put up around the pit, but there was no solid covering over it.
His passenger, Muhammad Almadi Hassan, was killed in the incident. He was believed to have been trapped in his seat, which was submerged in water, while Wilyamil suffered a broken arm.
Lahad Datu Fire Station chief Sumsoa Rashid said firemen received an emergency call at around 7.04am and arrived at the scene about four minutes later.
“The vehicle had landed on its side in the seven-metre-deep jacking pit,” he said, adding that firemen lifted both victims out of the hole using a rope and stretcher.
He said operations commanding officer Mohd Noor Asri reported that one of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene by health officials, while the other man was taken to the hospital for emergency treatment.
Sumsoa said Muhammad’s body was handed over to the police for further action, while operations at the site ended at around 9.07am.
Barriers were also placed at the accident scene to prevent further incidents.
