The victim’s body at the scene in Kampung Bakau yesterday.
LAHAD DATU: A man in his 30s was electrocuted while collecting scrap metal at Kampung Bakau yesterday afternoon.
The incident happened around 1pm when the victim, believed to be a ‘palau’ (sea gypsy), could be attempting to pull the live wire and take it without realising the danger.
District Fire and Rescue Department chief Mohd Apandi Mahmood said his department was informed of the incident by villagers at 2.05pm.
Nine personnel arrived at the scene in a fire engine 11 minutes later and waited for the Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) personnel to cut off the electricity supply.
“The victim’s body was removed from the scene shortly after the electricity was cut off,” Mohd Apandi said, adding that the victim was pronounced dead by medical personnel at the scene.
He said a burn wound was found on the victim’s left chest.