A lorry attendant was killed after the 10-tonne vehicle he was travelling in with the driver plunged into a 40-metre-deep ravine at an iron bridge in Sungai Majau, Mujong Baleh, Kapit on Thursday.
The victim, identified as Sylvester Doll, 28, was found unconscious at the river area below the ravine, while the lorry driver, Robin Samat, 34, suffered injuries and was taken to Kapit Hospital by residents from a nearby longhouse before rescue teams arrived.
Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) operations centre spokesperson said they received an emergency call at 12.25pm requesting assistance to retrieve a victim who had fallen into the ravine.
Following the report, five firefighters from the Kapit Fire and Rescue Station were deployed to the Kapit Police Station using an Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) vehicle before continuing their journey to the location with police assistance using four-wheel-drive vehicles.
The rescue team arrived at the scene at 2.40pm after the route was found unsuitable for fire engines.
“Initial inspection found that a 10-tonne lorry carrying vehicle spare parts had plunged into a ravine estimated to be 40 metres deep with an almost 90-degree slope,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
Firefighters then descended to the bottom of the ravine and discovered Sylvester unconscious and lying near the edge of a stream.
The victim was lifted using a stretcher and brought back up to the road before being handed over to police for further action.
The operation was brought under control at 2.50pm and fully concluded at 3.04pm after the area was confirmed safe.
Police are currently investigating the cause of the accident.
