BELURAN: The east coast witnessed a series of separate incidents on Tuesday, with two tragic road accidents claiming three lives, while a six-day search and rescue operation in a remote area concluded successfully.
In Beluran, an 80-year-old man was killed after the four-wheel-drive vehicle he was driving skidded off the road and plunged into a nine-meter-deep ravine.
The accident occurred at KM 75 of Jalan Beluran-Telupid on October 21, at about 10.00 am. The victim, a local man from Kampung Sungai Sapi, was discovered trapped in his vehicle by Pan Borneo Highway workers who passed by the location.
Beluran OCPD Supt Hasan Majid, stated that the victim is believed to have died more than 24 hours before being found. Police have opened an investigation paper under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
He called on witnesses to the crash on Jalan Beluran-Telupid to come forward to assist with the investigation.
Meanwhile, a tragic head-on collision between a car and a motorcycle on Jalan Merotai, Tawau, resulted in two fatalities on Tuesday, October 21, around 5.40 am.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the 38-year-old car driver lost control, veered into the opposite lane, and collided with the motorcycle.
The impact killed the 54-year-old male rider and his 24-year-old daughter, who was riding pillion, at the scene. The car driver and his four passengers escaped unharmed.
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless or dangerous driving causing death, acting Tawau OCPD Supt Champin Piuh said.
In a positive conclusion to a tense operation, a 31-year-old man reported missing in the forest at Kalabakan was found alive and safe on Tuesday, October 21, following a six-day search and rescue (SAR) operation.
Khairul Saharin was reported missing after he became separated from his cousin on October 14 while fishing and foraging for forest products near Batu 32, Jalan Kalabakan-Keningau.
The extensive SAR, which began on October 16 and involved personnel from the police, Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Force (APM), and General Operations Force (PGA), culminated when he was located by the PGA Tiger Platoon.
He was subsequently transported to the Kalabakan Health Clinic, where he was confirmed to be in stable condition with no serious injuries. – James Leong
