The victim found lying unconscious beside the tanker.
SARIKEI: A man was found dead near a chemical/ gas tanker which apparently plunged into a 10 metre deep ravine in Sebangkoi area early yesterday morning.
It is believed that the lorry travelling from the direction of Kuching had skidded off the road into the ravine while descending the steep slope of Bukit Sebangkoi.
A team of policemen on a routine patrol in the area spotted the tanker lying on its side in the ravine around 7am and discovered the man, believed to be the driver, lying unconscious beside it when they went down to check.
They immediately notified the Traffic Police Office and District Fire and Rescue Services Station here.
A team of 10 firemen led by Haron Jenai arrived at the scene at 7.36 to bring the body out of the ravine.
Haron said the slope is almost 90 degrees steep and they had to use a pulley to pull up the victim in a stretcher.
The driver was pronounced dead by the waiting paramedic when he was brought up to the road, Haron added.
The driver, who was believed to be alone, had not been identified as the investigation team could not find any identification document on his body or in the vehicle.
The police are investigating the accident.