KUDAT: A sand tugboat worker died after falling overboard near Pantai Bangau, Sikuati, on Thursday.
Mohd Azman Idris, 31, is believed to have fallen while reconnecting a snapped anchor rope in rough seas.
Kudat Fire and Rescue Station Chief Darickson Galanang said 12 personnel, led by PBK II Rasidi Sadai, were dispatched to the scene located 39km away after receiving a distress call at 4.46pm.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});The team mobilised a fire engine, an EMRS unit and a utility vehicle for the rescue operation.
“The distress call came from a worker of Syarikat Kibing Sikuati, reporting that three crew members had been swept away by strong currents,” he said.
Two co-workers, Muhammad Haseef Abdul Rahman, 29, and Aidil Adman Said, 49, had jumped into the sea to rescue Azman but were unable to return to the vessel due to the rough waves.
All three were later pulled to shore by firefighters, but Azman was confirmed dead at the scene by Health Ministry personnel.
“The two survivors received treatment, while the deceased’s body was handed over to police for further action,” he said.