M’sian Maintenance Worker, 31, Dies After Collapsing Atop 60-Meter Telco Tower

Found Unconscious, Pronounced Dead Hours Later

A 31-year-old maintenance worker died after falling unconscious while working on top of a telecommunications tower near Jalan Jelai–Pasir Besar in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan on Monday evening (April 14).

Telecommunication tower. Photo for illustration purposes only

According to Berita Harian, the man had climbed the tower alone while carrying out maintenance duties with a colleague stationed on the ground.

Man Said He Was Exhausted and Felt Numbness in His Hands

Before losing consciousness, the victim reportedly told his colleague that he was feeling exhausted and experiencing numbness in his hands. He also mentioned that he was too weak to climb back down from the tower.

At around 5.15 pm, authorities were alerted that a man was unconscious atop the 60-metre structure.

Rescue Team Took Four Hours to Bring His Body Down

Following this, personnel from the police and the Fire and Rescue Department rushed to the scene.

According to NST, Tampin District Police Chief Superintendent Amiruddien Sariman said in a statement on Tuesday (April 15),

“Based on the information, police and fire department personnel rushed to the scene and found a man at a height of about 60 meters on the tower.”

Emergency responders provided respiratory assistance as they worked to bring the man down. He was eventually lowered at 9.20 pm.

Unfortunately, a doctor from the Jelai Health Clinic confirmed that the man had died.

Case Classified as Sudden Death

The victim’s body was sent to the Forensic Department of Tampin Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Superintendent Amiruddien added that the case is currently being investigated as a Sudden Death Report (SDR). Investigations are still ongoing to determine the exact cause of death.