Man dies trapped beneath bulldozer after gruelling rescue in remote Sarawak

KUCHING: A 40-year-old man trapped beneath a bulldozer in remote Long Seridan, northern Sarawak, died before rescuers could reach him, after firefighters faced a gruelling journey through treacherous logging roads, a river crossing and another four kilometres of rough terrain.

The victim, Mancha Lingan, was pronounced dead by a medical officer from Long Seridan Health Clinic before the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) team arrived at the scene at 9.49pm on Sunday (Sept 13).

The incident was reported to JBPM at about 2.08pm, triggering a rescue operation from the Marudi Fire and Rescue Station, about 261km away.

The four-member team, led by PBK I Erec Unyi, had to negotiate slippery and badly potholed logging roads before crossing a river and continuing for another four kilometres by land to reach the accident site.

On arrival, firefighters found Mancha trapped beneath the heavy machinery.

The rescue operation was further complicated by the position of the victim underneath the bulldozer.

Firefighters deployed a Power Unit Rescue Tool and two airbags, but their initial attempt to free him was unsuccessful.

The team then worked with auxiliary police personnel and mechanics from Shin Yang, who used an oxygen gas cutter to cut the bulldozer’s wheel chain and create access to the trapped victim.

Mancha was eventually extricated, but had suffered severe injuries to his abdomen and right leg and showed no signs of life.

His remains were handed over to the police for further action and were transported towards Marudi Hospital in a four-wheel-drive vehicle belonging to Shin Yang.

The operation ended at 11.22pm, almost nine hours after the initial emergency call.

With the operation ending late at night and the remote terrain making immediate return difficult, the firefighters spent the night at Kampung Long Seridan before travelling back to Marudi the following day.

Also involved at the scene were an auxiliary police personnel, a medical officer from Long Seridan Health Clinic and two workers from Kem Jalin.