TAWAU: A 41-year-old lorry driver carrying a load of stones was injured after getting trapped in his vehicle when it skidded off the road near the Hot Springs Recreational Park, here, at 10.40am, Wednesday.
Tawau Fire and Rescue Station Chief Jemishin Ujin said the victim sustained injuries to his chest, hands and legs.
He said the department received an emergency call at 10.43am from a member of the public via the NG999 line and deployed 11 personnel led by operations commander Jehrey Ibno to the scene.
According to Jemishin, the incident involved a 10-tonne lorry which veered onto the road shoulder before plunging into a ravine about 10 metres deep, leaving the driver trapped in the driver’s seat.
He said the rescue operation required firefighters to secure the unstable lorry using anchoring assistance from an excavator and a tow truck before the victim could be safely extricated.
After being freed, the injured driver was placed on a stretcher by the fire and rescue team and handed over to the Health Ministry personnel for further treatment, he said.
Jemishin added that the victim was later taken to Tawau Hospital for follow-up treatment and the operation ended at 1.20pm after firefighters confirmed the situation was under control, with assistance at the scene also provided by three police personnel and two Health Ministry staff.
