13km-long jam southbound on PLUS’ Gopeng-Tapah stretch

IPOH: Motorists heading south passing through Perak will have to endure a 13km-long traffic jam due to an overturned tanker at KM313.6 of the North-South Expressway (PLUS).

PLUS Highway in a post on X said that as of 8.38pm on Tuesday (Nov 12), all lanes heading south from Gopeng to Tapah are still closed.

“Removal works (for the vehicle) are still ongoing. A contra-flow lane has been activated.

“Traffic is congested for 13km southbound and 9km northbound.

“Please plan your journey and use an alternative route,” read the post.

Earlier, the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) said an accident had occurred at 9.05am and that all southbound lanes were blocked.

Meanwhile, Tapah district police chief Supt Mohd Naim Asnawi said the accident involved a tanker truck and a jeep.

“The tanker went out of control in the left lane and skidded across the middle of the road. There were no casualties,” he added.

In the meantime, Perak Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (operations) Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad, in another statement, said they have not received any emergency calls related to the case through Malaysian-Emergency Responses 999 (MERS999).

“The call was received by the Health Ministry because it only involved minor injuries to one victim and there was no rescue work involving trapped victims, fire or the involvement of hazardous materials,” he said.

It is learnt that congestion remains as the crane that was supposed to move the damaged lorry broke down and is currently being repaired. – Bernama