Man feared drowned after jumping off Penang Bridge

GEORGE TOWN: Another incident, believed to be an apparent suicide, happened again when a 33-year-old man jumped off the Penang Bridge on Wednesday (Oct 27).

The Penang Fire & Rescue Department spokesperson said the department received a distress call from the public about the incident at KM6.8 of George Town bound lane of the bridge at 5.48pm.

"Upon receiving the information, a team of firemen from Jalan Perak fire station was dispatched to the location," he said in a statement.

He said the victim, who was feared to have drowned, also left a car at the bridge.

Two boats from Batu Uban marine police and Bukit Bendera fire and rescue volunteers were deployed after a search and rescue operation was activated.

The spokesperson said a surface searching method was used by the rescuers near the surrounding area, where the victim was believed to have leapt from the bridge.

During the wee hours of Tuesday (Oct 26), a 20-year-old man was feared to have drowned after leaping from the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge.

Rescuers are still scouring the sea for the victim's body.

Those suffering from problems can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service at 03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392; Talian Kasih at 15999 or 019-261 5999; Jakim’s (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) family, social and community care centre at 0111-959 8214; and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur at 03-7627 2929 or go to befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia for a full list of numbers nationwide and operating hours, or email [e-mail].