Lorry driver survives 200-foot plunge off cliff, rescued almost 24 hours later

The lorry driver waiting to be transported to the hospital for treatment.

By Brad Rantayy

MIRI, Aug 21: A 51-year-old lorry driver was found alive yesterday at the bottom of a 200-foot cliff drop, almost 24 hours after the three-tonne lorry he was driving had careened off the cliff’s edge after veering off the Miri-Bintulu road near Bukit Song on Monday (Aug 19).

The lorry driver was rescued by a team of firefighters after he was discovered by a passerby who alerted the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba).

Upon receiving the distress call at 6.08pm on Tuesday (Aug 20), the Bomba team led by Lopeng fire station chief Terry Robson, immediately dashed to the scene to help extract and rescue the victim who was still trapped inside the lorry.

The crash scene is located about 45km from Miri city.

The driver, identified as Gary Wilson Kalong, suffered bodily injuries which were not life threatening.

He has been warded at Miri Hospital and is reportedly in stable condition. — DayakDaily