In unfortunate news, a 68-year-old tree cutter from Rembau, Negeri Sembilan passed away suddenly when he was on top of a 30-metre tall bidara tree at Kampung Kundur Hilir, Negeri Sembilan yesterday evening, 19 August.
The body of Awaludin Kaman, 68, was brought down by the firemen around 3.13pm, reported Kosmo.
The victim’s colleague, Uwish Kurni Mohd Mahfuz, 27, told that when the incident happened he was down while the victim who is fondly known as, Cik Y was on top of the tree.
“We haven’t cut down any trees in so long but suddenly today morning, Cik Y was quite excited and called me to cut down the trees. This was the third bidara tree he cut down today.”
Uwish added that he got worried when he saw the victim was quiet and drooping on top of the tree. He immediately climbed it and tied Cik Y to the tree to make sure he doesn’t fall down.
Mohd. Hafizuddin Rozaimi, 20, was Cik Y’s protege who affectionately called him Atok told that Atok even managed to joke around with him asking to learn how to climb and cut the trees. Cik Y was an experienced tree cutter and has done this job for decades.
“Not long after that, Atok stopped responding even after we called him out to him multiple times,” he said.
The paramedics declared him dead after they brought him down. Rembau District Police Chief, Deputy Superintendent Anuar Bakri Abdul Salam confirmed the incident and told that the body was brought to Hospital Tuanku Jaafar for an autopsy. For now, the cause of death has been classified as sudden death syndrome.
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