A 28-second video went viral on Monday (June 27) showing a pillion rider being hit by a basketball-sized coconut that fell onto her near Jalan Teluk Kumbar in Balik Pulau, Penang. Did this happen as claimed in the video?
Verdict:
TRUE
The incident is believed to have happened on Sunday morning (June 26) when the coconut fell on her head as the motorcycle she was on passed through a road heading towards George Town from Teluk Kumbar.
Fortunately, the rider managed to control the motorcycle and stopped by the side of the road.
Bayan Lepas assemblyman Azrul Mahathir Aziz confirmed the incident in a Facebook post on Monday (June 27) in which he said that he sympathised with the victim.
He added that the woman is known as Puan Anita and lives in Taman Emas, which is in his constituency.
"I rushed to the scene once I received the information and requested the relevant agencies to take immediate action on the matter," he said.
Azrul said most of the coconut trees along the road belonged to private owners and prior to the incident, trees that were highly at risk of causing a danger to motorists and the public had been cut down.
He said he had contacted the children of the victim, who is still seeking treatment at the Penang Hospital.
"I hope the injury is not that serious," he said.
Several passers-by can be seen in the video trying to alert other motorists to slow their vehicles as the rider helped the victim.
