Excavator operator drowns after machinery overturns in Tasik Bera

BERA: A 26-year-old excavator operator drowned while his colleague escaped after the heavy machinery they were operating overturned and sank into Tasik Bera during cleaning works yesterday.

The remains of Alief Daniel Haqim Abdullah were found trapped inside the excavator cabin at 4.10pm.

Bera police chief Superintendent Zulkiflee Nazir said police received a call at 2.10pm informing them that an excavator involved in cleaning works at Tasik Bera had sunk, with its operator trapped inside.

"The victim was accompanied by a 28-year-old friend who managed to escape when the machine entered the water. The victim sank along with the machine.

"Police and firefighters searched the lake area before the victim's remains were found inside the cabin. The remains were taken to Bera Hospital for a post-mortem," he said.

Zulkiflee said the victim had been hired by a company to clear overgrown rasau trees (Pandanus helicopus) around the lake, which had narrowed the water channels.

He said the clearing works, which began on Sept 24, were scheduled to be completed by the end of next month.