GEORGE TOWN: A 73-year-old doctor killed in a landslide yesterday died from blunt-force trauma and breathing difficulties, according to post-mortem findings.
Northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Abdul Rozak Muhammad said the victim suffered the injuries after being crushed by earth.
"The findings indicate that the victim suffered blunt-force trauma and breathing difficulties after being crushed by earth," he said when met at the scene.
Dr Wong Kar Lin was found partially buried after the landslide caused a wall of his house to collapse on him.
His 68-year-old wife and 86-year-old mother-in-law escaped unhurt.
Rozak said police had cordoned off the affected area and were guarding six houses evacuated on safety grounds.
The displaced residents are staying at hotels, while police personnel will remain at the scene to prevent unauthorised entry into the vacated homes.
He said the duration of the security deployment had yet to be determined, pending a technical meeting with the local authority.
"The area remains closed due to the risk of further landslides, particularly with rain expected in the coming days.
"Based on the advice of technical experts, rainfall could trigger another landslide. We advise residents and members of the public to follow police instructions and stay away from restricted areas," he said.
Rozak said police received a call from the victim's family shortly after the landslide and responded with the Fire and Rescue Department in an attempt to rescue him.
He said the case remained under investigation as a sudden death report (SDR), despite the post-mortem findings.
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