Crushed to death

Firemen lowering themselves into the opening leading to the makeshift tunnel at Gunung Tabai in Taiton, Bau

BAU: The illegal gold mining activities taking place at Gunung Tabai in Taiton here has claimed the life of another man after he was crushed by a boulder while inside a makeshift underground tunnel early yesterday.

The victim, identified as Lee Sze Chun, 33, was about 25 feet inside the shaft when a boulder- said to be roughly the size of a Perodua Kancil car – fell on top of him and killed him on the spot. The deceased was part of a group of 10 men who made their way down the tunnel to illegally mine gold.

Three of them made their way back up about half an hour prior to the 2.30am incident, while the remaining six managed to find their way up after the tragic incident unfolded.

District police chief DSP Mohd Sabri Zainol said police received a report of the incident at 5.30am, and quickly notified the Fire and Rescue Services Department before launching a rescue operation at 7.30am.

“A team of firemen were initially unable to locate the body due to the shaft branching off in several directions.

“Once the body was located, it was discovered that the deceased had been crushed by a boulder the size of a Perodua Kancil car, making it extremely difficult to extricate,” said Mohd Sabri, who was at the scene to monitor the operation.

He added that five local villagers were roped in to help secure the tunnel walls from potentially collapsing while firemen strived to extricate the body.

Rescuers and local villagers discussing the location of the trapped body inside the tunnel

It is learned that Lee used to stay in Taman Desa Wira in Batu Kawah but had moved here together with his wife, who hails from Buso. His wife who was present at the scene declined to be interviewed by reporters.

Commenting on the latest illegal gold mining-related death, Mohd Sabri said it was unfortunate that there were those who were willing to put their lives at great risk in search of quick money.

“The police have repeatedly advised and also warned the people not to involve themselves in this activity, but they choose to disregard what we tell them.

“Once again, I am pleading with parents who have sons doing this (illegal gold mining), or wives whose husbands are involved, to tell them to stop risking their lives and think of their loved ones instead of looking for easy money,” said the OCPD.

At 5.30pm yesterday, rescuers were still unable to extricate Lee’s trapped body, with Mohd Sabri revealing efforts were underway to chisel the boulder after attempts to move it proved futile.

The latest ‘gold rush’ death follows two known incidents in 2011 which cost the lives of three men.

The first incident occurred on March 16 in which a 28-year-old man from Paku was buried alive some 80 feet inside an underground makeshift tunnel which collapsed.

The second incident happened on July 2 the same year which claimed the lives of two men- a 19-year-old from Krokong and his 37-year-old relative.

Despite the many measures taken by the police as well as the company holding the rights to the mountain to secure the area from trespassers, illegal miners- spurred by the high price of gold- continue to find ways to make their way up via foot paths in the surrounding jungle.

The prospectors would then make their way down makeshift shafts- some said to be up to 100 feet deep- to dig for earth which they would then sell to middlemen for an average of RM60 for every 10kg bag.

As of press time yesterday, Mohd Sabri said rescuers had managed to chip away almost half of the boulder, but were still unable to retrieve Lee’s body, adding also that the operation will be put on hold if the dark conditions posed a danger to those inside the tunnel.