Crocodile kills pensioner in Lahad Datu
LAHAD DATU: A pensioner was found dead, believed to be a victim of a crocodile attack while diving and spear-gun fishing in the waters near the bridge at the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) yesterday.
The victim has been identified as Tigahari bin Madjami, a former staff of the Lahad Datu District Council whose hobbies were diving and fishing.
Lahad Datu Fire and Rescue Department chief Mohd Apandi Mahmood said his department received an alert at 12am and immediately rushed a rescue team and a fire engine to the scene.
“The victim's body was found by the rescue team at 12.30am and handed over to the police for further action,” he said.
The victim was believed to have drowned during the crocodile attack.
Lahad Datu district officer Iman Ali said Tigahari had retired in September.
“The crocodile attacked him when he was fishing at the POIC port,” he said, adding that the body was sent to Semporna.
Lahad Datu police chief ACP Hamzah Ahmad confirmed the incident.
Meanwhile, Tigahari's former colleague at the district council, Zaini Jaukarin, 48, who was also a relative, said Tigahari had been a helpful person.
“Tigahari loved to go diving and spear fish at sea,” he said.
Zaini said Tigahari's body was taken to his village in Sungai Gajah, Semporna, for burial.