The bodies of two men were successfully retrieved after being trapped for over 12 hours in a lorry carrying an iron load that plunged into a ravine at Kilometer (KM) 42.1 of the East Coast Expressway (LPT) heading towards Kuantan on Monday evening.

Assistant Director of Operations for the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Pahang, Mohd Salahuddin Isa, confirmed that both victims were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

The first victim, identified as Norazuat Mokhtar, was extricated from the wreckage at 7:47 a.m. on Tuesday. The second victim, whose identity remains unknown at the time of the report, was removed two hours later at 9:30 a.m.

"The operations commander reported that search efforts revealed two adult males trapped within the driver's and passenger's sections of the lorry," Mohd Salahuddin said.

The rescue operation utilized the services of the K9 Unit, which deployed two detection dogs, Grouse and Lady, along with three personnel to conduct searches around the accident site. Additional support was also provided by strategic partners to facilitate the efforts.

Once the victims were located, rescue teams employed specialized cutting equipment and a circular saw to dismantle the metal sections of the vehicle. This meticulous process allowed the victims to be extricated and subsequently handed over to the police for further investigation.

The emergency response involved nine personnel from the Bentong Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) and two vehicles. The team was dispatched to the scene at 8:16 p.m. on Monday following an emergency call. The operation concluded at 10:05 a.m. on Tuesday after both victims were successfully recovered.

Source: Sinar Harian