An emergency medical consultant told the Coroner's Court in Kuala Lumpur today that the body of taxi driver Baharudin Ahmad, who died during the July 9 Bersih 2.0 rally last year, had to be taken to the hospital for safety reasons.

NONE Testifying at the inquest on Baharudin's death, Dr Sarah Shaikh Abdul Karim, 37, said she instructed her medical team to immediately transport his body to the hospital as she feared the illegally assembled crowd outside Avenue K could turn unruly.

"Although I was informed that Baharudin was not showing any vital signs at the scene, the victim had to be brought in as the situation at the location was tense and could endanger the paramedics," she said.

"The atmosphere outside Avenue K could have turned aggressive and I was responsible for the paramedics safety, that's why I told them to bring the victim to the hospital," she answered during examination-in-chief by DPP Kalmizah Salleh.

Dr Sarah, who is attached to the Trauma and Emergency Department of Kuala Lumpur Hospital, said in such critical cases, apart from the safety factor at the scene, a deceased victim would be taken to the hospital if the family was too distraught to accept the death of their loved one.

"Usually, when the deceased's family cannot accept the reality, the victim would be taken to the hospital for further action and there can be situations where medical experts feel something else can be done for the victim," she added.

Earlier in the proceedings, Avenue K's former security manager, Hud Abdul Rahman, 61, told the court that a man had collapsed at the shopping complex on the day of the assembly.

The 21st witness said he rushed to Avenue K as soon as he received the information from his officer, for a clearer picture of the situation through the building's closed circuit television (CCTV).

"I saw people rushing into Avenue K and the officers who were with me pointed out the unconscious victim,' he said.

"I also saw the ambulance which arrived to attend to him," said Hud.

Hud said he had informed his staff that there would be a disturbance in the vicinity and had ordered them to roll down the metal grille of the premises on July 9 to prevent any undue incidents.

However, on that day people managed to lift the grille and crawl through into the building, he said.

The inquest resumes tomorrow before Coroner Zulkpli Abdullah.

- Bernama