Twin mishaps on Penang Bridge

Close shave: (Left) The driver of the truck cheats death after crashing the vehicle into the bridge’s concrete barrier. (Above) Heavy traffic at the Penang Bridge toll plaza in Prai after the accident. — MUSTAFA AHMAD/The Star

BUTTERWORTH: Two accidents occurred on the Penang Bridge but there were no fatalities. 

In the first incident, a tipper truck driver cheated death when his truck rammed into the bridge's concrete barrier by the sea, damaging it. 

Mohd Khairul Azhar Abdul Rashid, 31, was heading towards the island during the 3.30am incident yesterday. 

OCPD Asst Comm Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid said the truck landed on the barrier and was perched precariously on it. 

"The impact shattered part of the bridge's concrete barrier. 

Close shave: (Left) The driver of the truck cheats death after crashing the vehicle into the bridge’s concrete barrier.

"The driver was slightly injured and received treatment at the Seberang Jaya Hospital," said ACP Nik Ros. 

The accident resulted in a 5km traffic crawl from the mainland towards Permatang Pauh. 

Another collision occurred about noon involving a lorry and a motorcycle with two passengers – a man and his mother. 

George Town OCPD Asst Comm Anuar Omar said investigations showed that the lorry driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the motorcycle. 

Both man and motorcycle were dragged for about 30m while the mother, who was riding pillion, fell to the side of the road, ACP Anuar Omar said in a statement. 

The man is still in a coma at the Penang Hospital while his mother was treated for broken ribs.