IPOH: The foreign worker who was killed at a quarry in Keramat Pulai had initially left the site but returned to pick up his belongings, says Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Sayani Saidon.

The victim has been identified as 36-year-old Pakistani Sohail Sajjad.

"Sohail was with two other workers clearing the site using an excavator. They were told to leave as there were signs of rock movement.

"As they were walking down, Sohail turned back as he had left a personal item in the machine. That was when the mishap happened," she said during a press conference at the Simpang Pulai fire station here on Tuesday (Sept 5).

Sayani said the victim was pinned under the excavator and his remains were retrieved at 2.40pm.

"Together with the Minerals and Geoscience Department and the police, we were able to retrieve the body despite having to stop the operation once due to rock movement," he said, adding the victim suffered a serious head injury.

"His body has been sent to the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital for a post-mortem examination," she added.