[VIDEO] 2 Chinese Tourists Killed In Penang After Uprooted Tree Crushes Car
A Malaysian was rescued from the vehicle, sustaining minor injuries to his feet and head.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 19 Sep 2024, 11:15 AM
Two tourists from China died after an uprooted tree crushed their vehicle in George Town, Penang yesterday, 18 September
According to FMT, deputy Lebuh Pantai fire and rescue station chief Mahadzir Maghrib said the incident occurred in the compound of the Pinang Peranakan Mansion at around 2.19pm.
The victims were identified as a man in his 50s and a woman in her 30s. China Press reported that they were a father and daughter from Heilongjiang, China's northernmost province.
They were reportedly in a Perodua Aruz when the tree crushed the vehicle. The daughter was sitting in the front passenger seat, while the father was in the back seat at the time of the incident.
A third person, identified as a 52-year-old Malaysian and a friend of the victims, was also in the vehicle as the driver. Surnamed Xia (transliteration), he had offered to drive the victims around Penang after they arrived on the island on Tuesday, 17 September.
Xia escaped the incident with minor injuries to his feet and head. It is understood that only the driver's seat was slightly crushed by the uprooted tree, while the front passenger seat and the back seat were severely crushed.
Xia said he honked to call for help after the tree crushed his vehicle, and people from the museum rushed to help
"[When the rescuers arrived, they] immediately cut down the tree and removed the car door to pull me out, but they were unable to pull out the father and daughter," China Press quoted him as saying.
Xia said the daughter was still alive after the tree fell, holding his hand while they were trapped. However, she was unresponsive when the rescuers reached her.
A team of firemen arrived at the scene six minutes after receiving a distress call at 2:19pm. However, it was not until 5.15pm that both victims' bodies were extracted.
The rescue was made difficult due to the heavy rain and limited space at the site of the incident, Timur Laut Zone fire and rescue department officer Mohd Syafiq Nor Azman told Sinar Daily.
Three other vehicles were also damaged in the museum's compound.
The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) will determine who is responsible for the incident
Speaking after the incident, Penang local government, town, and country planning committee chairman H'ng Mooi Lye said MBPP will determine which party is responsible for the uprooted tree, as it was on private property.
"Since it is on private property, regular tree inspections were not conducted. However, moving forward, tree inspections will also include private properties," FMT quoted him as saying.
H'ng urged Penang residents to be cautious and pay attention to the weather forecast, as strong winds are expected to continue in the region until 21 September.
