Alleged cable thief dies after electrocuted atop pylon
KUCHING: A suspected cable thief succumbed to his injuries yesterday after he was electrocuted atop an electricity pylon at Pasir Pandak here.
The 33-year-old man was pronounced dead at 1.07pm at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), where he had been warded following the incident on Tuesday night.
District police chief ACP Ng Ah Lek when contacted confirmed that the suspect, who hailed from Kampung Rampangi, had several previous criminal records.
He said initial investigation indicated the suspect climbed up the electricity pylon at a substation along Jalan Perumahan to steal copper wires when he sustained high-voltage electrocution, leaving him trapped on the pylon.
“We found a roll of cables and tools used to cut the cables at the scene while investigating at the scene.
“We have classified the matter under Section 431 of the Penal Code for mischief by injury to telegraph cable and wire,” he said.
Ng also pointed out that the awareness of the community and channeling such information to the police would help police eradicate such crimes and also apprehend suspects for arrest and legal action.
The incident happened around 10.20pm Tuesday when a man, believed to be an accomplice, notified several individuals of the victim’s predicament before fleeing the area immediately after.
The individuals, who were fishing at Kampung Pasir Pandak at the time, then heard an explosion and rushed to the pylon – which had caught fire – where they spotted the victim dangling some 20 feet above them.
“He was dangling there on the pylon, crying out in pain and pleading for help,” said one of the men, who declined to be identified.
Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) state assistant operations director Tiong Ling Hii said a team of firefighters was deployed to the scene following a distress call at 10.25pm.
“Upon arrival, firemen discovered a man trapped on the pylon. He was conscious but had suffered about 80 per cent burns,” he said.
He added that Sarawak Energy Berhad employees cut the power to the pylon to allow firefighters to begin the process of rescuing the victim.
The victim was finally lowered to the ground some two hours later, and was treated by paramedics before being rushed to SGH.