BALIK PULAU – A van carrying 10 tourists from Singapore and a local driver skidded and fell into a 6m-deep ravine here this evening, killing one person.
The Penang Fire and Rescue Department in an initial statement confirmed they were alerted of the incident at 8.14pm.
“There are 11 victims in the vehicle and rescue work is ongoing with the help of several nearby Volunteer Fire Brigade members,” read the statement.
Later, 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.
“The location was a hilly area where it was impossible for the fire engines to enter. As such, the firefighters had to climb the hill for 15 minutes with stretchers and emergency equipment,” he was quoted as saying last night.
He added that the rescue team had to use special equipment to cut the dashboard and steering wheel of the van to remove a woman who was stuck next to the driver’s seat.
The rescue operation ended at 10.45pm.
Meanwhile, South West district police chief Kamarul Rizal Jenal said the victims have yet to be identified but they are believed to an elderly group who are on holiday in Penang.
“An autopsy will be done on the deceased on Monday. The 10 other injured victims were sent to Penang Hospital and Balik Pulau Hospital for treatment.”
Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident. – September 24, 2023