Ambulance crashes, lands on its side after tyre bursts

Police and firemen carrying out investigations at the scene. Pix by Amanda Yeap

IPOH: An ambulance landed on its side after crashing due to a burst tyre on the north-bound lane of the North-South Expressway, causing traffic to slow down to a 3km crawl.

In the 4.30pm incident, the ambulance driver lost control of the vehicle after the rear tyre suddenly exploded.

The vehicle crashed into the road barrier before landing on its side.

Tapah OCPD Superintendent Somsak Din Keliaw said the ambulance, which was on its way from Sungai Buloh Hospital to Penang, was carrying four occupants - the driver, an assistant driver, a medical officer and a patient. 

"The patient has been sent to the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh for treatment, while the other occupants suffered light injuries," he said, adding that investigations were still ongoing.

A PLUS Malaysia spokesperson confirmed the incident, saying that fortunately, no other vehicles were involved in the incident.

"Police and firemen were at the scene trying to move the stricken vehicle and direct traffic," he said.

According to the latest update on the accident from PLUS Malaysia's Twitter account, the crawl between Tapah and Gopeng has extended from 3km to 6km. 

"Please use an alternate route," it advised at 7.09pm