LAHAD DATU: A passenger was killed while the driver was injured after a Toyota Vigo pickup truck skidded off the road and plunged into a 7-metre-deep construction pit along Jalan Pantai heading toward Lahad Datu town early Friday morning.
Fire and Rescue Department personnel received the emergency call at 7.04am and arrived at the scene within five minutes.
The vehicle had crashed through a road barrier before falling into a sewer construction pit measuring about 6.5 metres wide, which is part of an ongoing project by the Sabah Drainage and Sewerage Department.
Two male victims were trapped inside the pit and were rescued using ropes and stretchers.
The passenger, identified as Muhammad Almadi Hassan, was pronounced dead at the scene by Health Ministry officers. The driver, 34-year-old Wilyamil Ahajul, suffered a broken arm and was taken to hospital by ambulance for further treatment.
The deceased was handed over to police for further investigation. Firefighters later secured the area with safety barriers before ending the operation at 9.07am.
