The victim, in his 40s, was confirmed dead at the scene after suffering serious injuries to his neck in the accident along Jalan Kulim yesterday afternoon.

Seberang Perai Tengah police chief Helmi Aris said the accident occurred as the lorry driver, a man in his 20s, was heading towards Bukit Mertajam from Kulim.

On arriving at the area, the crane at the back of his lorry became entangled in a telecommunications cable, pulling it downwards.

Helmi said the victim, who was riding a motorcycle from the opposite direction, did not have time to evade the cable which caught him by the neck.

He said the victim’s body was sent to Bukit Mertajam Hospital’s forensic unit for a post-mortem.

The lorry driver has been remanded for three days from today to assist in investigations under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death by reckless or dangerous driving.