BALIK PULAU – The Singaporean woman killed in yesterday’s van crash in Jalan Teluk Kumbar-Bukit Genting, Balik Pulau has been identified as 62-year-old Lee Kwee Yiam.
Southwest district police chief Kamarul Rizal Jenal said the authorities have also identified the other 10 victims, including a local driver.
“Lee’s remains have been sent to the Balik Pulau Hospital’s forensic department for post-mortem,” he told reporters here.
Investigations found that the van driven by a 61-year-old man had 10 passengers, who were tourists, reported Bernama.
Nine were Singaporeans and a local woman, all aged between 50 and 69.
Kamarul said the driver allegedly lost control of his vehicle in the hilly area, and it skidded into a 6m-deep ravine.
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless or dangerous driving resulting in death.
Meanwhile, state Tourism and Creative Economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, who visited the victims in the hospital here, said three of them have been discharged, four being treated at Penang Hospital and three were transferred to a private hospital.
He added that the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur had been informed of the incident.
“The state government has also instructed the hospitals to facilitate and help the victims.”
The Penang Fire and Rescue Department were alerted of the incident at 8.14pm yesterday.
Seri Balik Pulau Fire and Rescue station operations chief N. Prenavaran said one woman was found dead, seven were trapped in the vehicle while three others were helped to a safe place by members of the public. – September 25, 2023