KOTA KINABALU, Aug 6 — Three policemen were killed, suspected of having been electrocuted along Jalan Weston, Kampung Weston, Beaufort this afternoon.
Several videos of the incident quickly went viral on social media, showing three men lying on the road as onlookers gathered nearby.
In a statement, the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Centre said it received a distress call at 5.56 pm.
Following this, the Beaufort Fire and Rescue Station deployed a Fire Rescue Tender with a team of seven to the location, approximately 28 kilometres from the station.
“The initial report stated that three victims had been electrocuted along Jalan Weston, Kampung Weston, before the fire brigade was deployed to carry out rescue operations,” the statement read.
Operations Commander, PBK I Irwan Abdul, led the team, assisted by the Royal Malaysia Police and Sabah Electricity.
Details regarding the victims’ identities and the cause of the incident are still under investigation and will be updated from time to time.
Meanwhile, in its latest update, the Sabah JBPM Operations Centre identified the three police officers killed as Chiu Teck Siong, 40, Mohamad Nur Hafiz Ibrahim, 29, and Muhammad Raimi Ismarubee, 26.
According to initial investigations, witnesses told authorities that the victims had been trying to knock down coconuts using a metal pole when it accidentally struck an overhead power cable.
“Sabah Electricity personnel managed to cut off the power supply at 6.45 pm, after which the fire brigade and police retrieved their bodies,” he said.
The operation was called off at 7.45 pm after the scene was cleared of any further dangers.
Sabah police commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun confirmed the incident and said the officers involved were stationed at the Weston Police Station in Beaufort.
“Police have opened an investigation paper to determine the exact cause of the incident. Autopsies will be conducted before the remains are handed over to the next of kin,” he said when contacted tonight.
Meanwhile, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd said in a statement that a detailed investigation into the fatal incident is being conducted.
The utility company confirmed that its technical team was deployed to the scene upon receiving the information, to ensure the area was safe.
“Sabah Electricity extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the entire PDRM personnel, and shares in their grief over this loss,” it said.
Sabah Electricity urged the public not to speculate, and pledged full cooperation with the authorities and appropriate action based on the probe’s findings.
