Congestion at balloon fiesta hampers ambulance

GEORGE TOWN: An ambulance heading from Jalan Residensi to Penang Hospital was caught in a traffic jam as the route was choked with vehicles because of the Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2016 at Polo Ground.

Vehicles parked illegally along the road leading to Polo Ground, Jalan Ross and Jalan Scott added to the conjection and obstructed much of the traffic there.

Penang Hospital Visitors Board chairman Lim Thoon Deong said board members and concerned individuals had been monitoring the situation there for the past two days, providing updates frequently.

“I believe there was a patient in the ambulance as its emergency warning lights were on,” he said.

“I don’t know how long the ambulance was stuck in the jam but the picture on Whatsapp that was sent to me was taken at 7.20pm.”

Lim said the traffic situation was equally bad Wednesday night as most people came to watch the night-glow balloons and fireworks.

“Vehicles were also parked at the hospital car park, taking up space for those who wanted to come to the hospital for treatment or visit relatives.

“The whole place was a mess,” he said.

“Whatever the state government claimed turned out to be not true. They said proper parking space would be provided and traffic would be under control, but it has proven to be otherwise.

“I hope this event will not be held here next year as it is not a suitable site at all. The hospital is just 50 metres from the venue.

“I hope lives will not be endangered just because of one show,” he said.

On Thursday, Lim had said a survey by the board showed that out of 396 people interviewed, only four were for the fiesta to be held at Polo Ground.

“It is important that the venue be changed because Polo Ground is gazetted as an emergency landing pad for helicopters, and many people in the area are against the event being held there,” he had told reporters at Penang Hospital.