GEORGE TOWN - A young man is feared to have drowned after falling into the sea from the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge or also known as the Penang Second Bridge at Kilometer 8.5 from Batu Kawan heading to Batu Maung here this morning.
The victim, a 39-year-old believed to be from Kuala Lumpur, left a Toyota Prius with personal belongings on the bridge at about 4.40am.
State Maritime Director, Maritime Captain Abd. Razak Mohamed said, his party received information regarding the incident from the Penang Second Bridge Traffic Control Center before activating the search and rescue team involving the PENGGALANG 12 and KILAT 4 boats.
“This operation also involves the Fire and Rescue Department, Batu Uban Marine Police Force and the Civil Defense Agency with a search area of 22.42 square nautical miles.
“The Carilamat Forward Base (PHC) was established near the second bridge. To date the search effort is still ongoing.
"Maritime Malaysia takes such cases seriously and hopes the community does not take the easy way out to solve a problem by making a hasty decision," he said in a statement today.
Therefore, he said, the public who have any relevant information are asked to contact the Malaysian Maritime Authority and report any emergency or accident at sea at the 24-hour MERS 999 emergency line or the Penang Maritime Operations Center at 04-2626146.
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