Kuala Lumpur crane operator loses consciousness 20m above ground; subsequent rescue confirms fatality

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: On the unfortunate evening of 16 November, a 27-year-old tower crane operator met a tragic end in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The incident unfolded at a construction site located in front of the Four Seasons Hotel at Jalan Tun Razak near KLCC.

The distressing episode began at 5:43 p.m. when the young operator lost consciousness while manoeuvring the crane.

Malaysian media Harian Metro reported that his colleague promptly contacted the Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) for urgent assistance, revealing the gravity of the situation.

In swift response to the distress call, a team of ten firefighters from the Jalan Tun Razak Fire and Rescue Station, accompanied by an engine, rushed to the scene.

The rescue team, equipped for high-altitude operations, arrived at the construction site around 5:50 p.m..

Regrettably, their efforts were in vain.

Despite their high-altitude rescue operation, which involved ascending approximately 20 meters to reach the crane’s top, the firefighters discovered the young worker lifeless inside the crane’s cabin area.

Unfortunate outcome despite high-altitude rescue efforts

Reported by Harian Metro, The Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department senior operations commander, Mior Muhammad Fikri Mohd Zaini, provided insights into the tragic sequence of events.

The team’s initial response was prompted by a report of the operator fainting, leading to a rapid deployment of the rescue unit.

Upon reaching the top of the crane, the firefighters were met with a grim reality—they found the 27-year-old crane operator already deceased.

At approximately 7:46 p.m., an adjacent tower crane played a crucial role in the aftermath of the tragic incident, delicately lowering the lifeless body of the deceased to the ground.

China Press through their Facebook post on Thursday (16 Nov), shared several photos from the scene.

Gripping photos captured the sombre scene, depicting the operator’s body securely strapped to a metal stretcher suspended from the crane.

(Photo: China Press’ Facebook)

Following the recovery operation, a medical officer from the Ministry of Health conducted a thorough examination, officially confirming the unfortunate demise of the crane operator.

With this confirmation, the authorities handed over the deceased’s body to the police for further processing.

Subsequently, the police took charge, transporting the body to KL Hospital with the intent of conducting a comprehensive autopsy.

The district police chief addressed the situation, categorizing it as a sudden death and emphasizing an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.