SANDAKAN: Two unrelated incidents occurred within 24 hours, involving a tree-fall accident in Sandakan and a three-vehicle collision in Lahad Datu.
In Sandakan, four vehicles sustained severe damage after being crushed by a falling tree along Jalan Batu Sapi, at Kampung Gas, on the evening of Sept 1.
The incident is believed to have occurred around 7.30 pm during a torrential downpour. According to Kapten (PA) Sulaiman Salama, the Sandakan Civil Defence (APM) Officer, the APM team was immediately deployed to the site to conduct safety inspections and carry out tree-cutting and removal operations using specialised equipment.
The team arrived at the location around 8.46 pm and found that a tree, approximately 30 feet tall, had toppled over and landed on four parked vehicles.
Cutting and clearance operations were carried out with strict adherence to safety protocols. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported in the incident.
The operation was concluded at 10.50 pm after the tree was fully cut up and removed from the scene.
Meanwhile, in Lahad Datu, a road collision involving three vehicles occurred near Jalan Markas Bridged Esscom. The emergency call was received at 12.21 am on Sept 3.
The Lahad Datu Fire and Rescue Station despatched eight personnel to the scene, arriving within just four minutes—at 12.25 am—as the location was only one kilometre away.
Operations Commander, PBK I Mohd Su’Ait Mohamad, reported that the accident involved three vehicles. Four individuals were caught up in the crash—three men and one woman—all of whom sustained injuries.
All victims had already been pulled from the wreckage by members of the public before the firemen arrived. Two of the injured were transported to the hospital by civilians, while the other two were taken by a Ministry of Health (KKM) ambulance.
Other agencies that took part in the operation included the district and KKM. Firefighters subsequently conducted a thorough sweep of the area and after confirming that the site was safe and secure, the operation ended at 12.45 am. – James Leong
Sandakan APM personnel removing the fallen tree at Kampung Gas on Tuesday night.
