PUTRAJAYA, December 5 – A tragic construction accident at a residential quarters building in Precinct 8 claimed the lives of two Indonesian workers and left another critically injured yesterday morning. The incident occurred when the crane they were operating toppled, causing the workers to fall from the seventh floor.
The accident took place at approximately 9:20 a.m. while the workers were carrying out painting tasks. Putrajaya police chief ACP Aidi Sham Mohamed confirmed that the deceased were identified as Sukawan Wilkhan, 54, and Danianto Yusak, 53. Their colleague, Yasin, 56, sustained severe injuries and is currently receiving treatment.
Cause of the Accident
Preliminary investigations revealed that the crane’s hydraulic jack sank into the ground, leading to the crane losing balance and collapsing. All three men were inside the crane’s bucket when the incident occurred.
“The sinking hydraulic jack caused the crane to topple, which led to this unfortunate accident,” ACP Aidi Sham said in a statement to Bernama.
Emergency Response
The victims were rushed to Putrajaya Hospital for medical attention and post-mortem examinations. The Putrajaya Fire and Rescue Department deployed 15 personnel from the Precinct 7 and Precinct 14 stations after receiving an emergency call at 9:30 a.m.
“Firefighters assisted in transferring the victims into ambulances and police vehicles,” said department director Abdul Manaf Che Isa. He added that spilled paint was cleaned up using a hose reel connected to the fire engine’s water tank.
An off-duty firefighter who was present at the scene provided immediate assistance, including administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to the victims, before rescue teams arrived.
Operations Conclude
The rescue operation concluded at 10:57 a.m., and the site is now under investigation by relevant authorities. Safety concerns have been raised, with a focus on equipment maintenance and ground stability in ongoing construction projects.
This tragic incident highlights the risks faced by construction workers and underscores the importance of strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent such accidents in the future.
