LAHAD DATU: A German national lost his life after he was believed to have fainted while snorkelling in the waters off Pulau Sakar on Thursday.
The deceased, identified as 78-year-old Kenneth Ray Crouse, was pronounced dead by medical staff upon arrival at Lahad Datu Hospital. His companion had administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the scene, but efforts to revive him proved futile.
Lahad Datu Zone Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Komander Maritim Dzulfikhar Ali, said MMEA Operations Centre received a distress call from a boat operator at 11.20 am, which immediately triggered a Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) operation.
“We despatched our patrol vessel, CENDERAWASIH 02, which was on active duty in the area, to retrieve the victim. He was subsequently brought to the Lahad Datu Fisheries Jetty for further transfer to the hospital,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
Dzulfikhar also urged the public to promptly report any maritime emergencies or suspicious criminal activities at sea.
For assistance, the public may contact the Lahad Datu Zone MMEA Operations Centre via WhatsApp at 016-9305727 or call the emergency hotline 999 for immediate action. – James Leong
The German tourist being transferred to an ambulance on arrival at the Lahad Datu Fisheries Jetty on Thursday.
