KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 — An overhead bridge in front of the Penang Ferry Terminal at Weld Quay nearly collapsed onto the highly trafficked road below this evening when a 16-wheeler trailer crashed into it.
Luckily, no one was hurt in the 6.30pm incident. The local Fire and Rescue Department has cordoned off a section of the pedestrian bridge now bent out of shape.
Operations officer PBK II Saiful Bahri Shaik Abddul Kadir said the trailer was carrying heavy machinery and had traversed Jalan Pengkalan Weld despite exceeding the height limit.
“The incident resulted in the pedestrian bridge sustaining visible damage. No injuries or casualties were reported, and the police along with the Penang Island City Council are at the location to close off the street from the public with barricades,” he said in a statement.
A video of the incident’s aftermath showed the bridge’s support frames nearly dislodged from their foundations by the impact of the collision, with the bridge itself bent outwards in the direction of the traffic flow.
Northeast District Police Chief ACP Soffian Santong said the trailer, which was carrying an excavator, became stuck along Jalan Pengkalan Weld when it tried to go under the bridge.
“Preliminary investigations at the location determined the trailer was heading from Tanjung Bunga towards Kuala Lumpur. The trailer crossed three pedestrian bridges at Flat Tanjung Tokong, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, and at Lebuh Farquhar, before becoming stuck at Pengkalan Weld.
“The driver has been brought to Timur Laut police station for a background check and to conduct urine testing, with the results coming back as negative. The incident has been classified under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for dangerous or reckless driving,” he said in a statement.
Northeast District Police Chief ACP Soffian Santong said the trailer, which was carrying an excavator, became stuck along Jalan Pengkalan Weld when it tried to go under the bridge.
“Preliminary investigations at the location determined the trailer was heading from Tanjung Bunga towards Kuala Lumpur. The trailer crossed three pedestrian bridges at Flat Tanjung Tokong, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, and at Lebuh Farquhar, before becoming stuck at Pengkalan Weld.
“The driver has been brought to Timur Laut police station for a background check and to conduct urine testing, with the results coming back as negative. The incident has been classified under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for dangerous or reckless driving,” he said in a statement.
