SAR op ongoing for man who fell off Second Penang Bridge

GEORGE TOWN: A search and rescue (SAR) operation has been launched following reports that a 33-year-old man fell from the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge, or Second Penang Bridge, on Wednesday (July 2).

He is reported to have fallen at KM14 of the bridge in the direction from Batu Maung to Batu Kawan at 4.23am, according to the Penang Fire and Rescue Department.

State Fire and Rescue Department Operations Division assistant director John Sagun Francis said rescue personnel were swiftly dispatched to the scene.

“Emergency response teams from the Bayan Baru Fire and Rescue station arrived at the location at 4.38am.

“A total of four boats have been deployed for the operation,” he said in a statement.

He added that the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is leading the search, assisted by the Fire and Rescue Department and police, including marine police.

John also noted that efforts are focused on surface water searches across four designated sectors.

“The area has been divided into zones to ensure a thorough sweep of the waters where the man was last seen,” he said.