WARNING, GRAPHIC CONTENT: Lim Ba, 68, suffered a severe heart attack and second-degree burns during the dangerous act inside a large metal pot with a fire underneath
A self-proclaimed ‘magic man’ tragically perished after steaming himself in a bid to ‘purify his body and soul’.
In 2017, ‘Black Dog’ Lim Ba collapsed with a fatal heart attack and sustained second-degree burns during the perilous ritual inside a massive metal pot with flames beneath.
Earlier this week we told how a father took his own life on live TV as his children watched on in horror.
Lim, 68, was carrying out a “human steaming” performance during a Nine Emperor God prayer ceremony at the Chinese temple Kuala Sanglang Qinglong, in Malaysia’s Suala Sanglang.
Worshippers first suspected trouble when frantic banging from within the blistering “human steam” covering could be heard roughly 30 minutes into the performance.
They quickly lifted the lid to discover him motionless, reports the Express.
Shocking video reveals him shaking violently as onlookers frantically drag him from the intense heat onto the floor.
His limbs kept twitching skyward as he was placed down whilst someone dashed for assistance.
The Taoist spiritual guide was declared dead at the location by emergency crews.
His youngest son, Kang Huai, 32, disclosed his father commenced the steaming performance around 10pm that evening, reports the Mirror.
He detailed how his father was taking medicine for high blood pressure and those watching knew the right moment to lift the covering.
He told Malaysia’s The Star: “By the time the ambulance arrived, my father had stopped breathing. He underwent a heart bypass last year due to on-and-off breathing difficulties.”
Despite constant appeals to cease, Lim had been conducting the human-steaming performance for more than ten years – previously remaining inside for 75 minutes. During a show at a Nine Emperor Gods celebration in Ayer Tawar, Perak, Kang Huai disclosed that food items such as rice, sweet corn, and vegetarian buns were also placed inside the wok for steaming.
“My mother Ch’ng Siew Hong, my sisters and I are very sad. Our cheerful father has left us forever,” he expressed.
Lim’s daughter Wei Ling, 37, revealed her father had moaned about the heat on the way to the stunt and had lost his appetite.
Lim was recognised as a Taoist medium, following the traditional Chinese religion which encourages living in harmony with the Tao.
The Federation of Taoist Associations of Malaysia (FTAM) president Tan Hoe Chioew said that these types of rituals were not really part of mainstream Taoist rites but were more similar to a fa shu (theurgy or magic) performance.
He further clarified that such feats were carried out to attract believers and showcase the performer’s physical endurance.