Elderly Man Dies While Assisting Forest Fire Response in Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan
Kasim (65), an elderly man, died while assisting in the handling of forest and land fires (karhutla) in Rasau Karya Hamlet, Rasau Jaya Umum Village, Rasau Jaya District, Kubu Raya Regency, West Kalimantan.
The man, who worked as a plantation caretaker, was found dead in a face-down position while in the midst of firefighting activities. He was discovered on Tuesday evening (11/8) at around 4 p.m. local time.
Prior to his death, he had been carrying out his usual activities and was at the site monitoring the fire situation while also helping to provide logistical support to personnel conducting fire suppression.
Rasau Jaya Police Chief Inspector Sihar Lumbantoruan, through Kubu Raya Police Public Relations Sub-section Head Aiptu Ade, said Kasim’s presence at the site was a form of community participation in assisting with forest fire management.
“Based on the field examination, it is known that Kasim had left the plantation around midday to buy food. At that time, his condition still appeared healthy. After eating, he returned to the plantation and rested,” Ade said on Wednesday (12/8).
Some time later, Kasim’s activities were observed again. A colleague even saw the victim clearing tree branches around the plantation. Shortly afterwards, the plantation owner, Ahmad, came over to Kasim, who was sitting down.
“At that time, Kasim complained of nausea and the urge to vomit,” Ade said.
Ade continued that Ahmad had offered him a drink and suggested that Kasim go home to rest. However, Kasim declined the suggestion. Ahmad then left Kasim to inspect the adjacent plantation.
At around 4 p.m., Ahmad found Kasim already in a face-down position and not moving. He then shouted for help. Ahmad’s shouts were heard by the joint forest fire response team who were not far from the location.
Personnel from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), National Police (Polri), National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Fire Department, Manggala Agni, and the Fire Care Community (MPA) immediately arrived at the scene. Kasim was then evacuated to Tuan Besar Syarif Idrus Regional General Hospital in Kubu Raya for medical assistance. However, his life could not be saved.
“Based on the examination by the on-duty doctor at Tuan Besar Syarif Idrus Regional General Hospital, the victim was pronounced dead. From the medical examination results, the victim is suspected to have died from a heart attack,” Ade said.
Rasau Jaya Police are still conducting an investigation to ascertain the sequence of events before Kasim was found dead. Several witnesses have been questioned, including people who were in the vicinity before the victim was discovered.
After being pronounced dead, Kasim’s body was taken to the family home in Bina Karya Hamlet, Rasau Jaya Satu Village, Rasau Jaya District, at around 5:20 p.m. local time. The body was then handed over to the family.