The victim who was trapped in a crushed car for more than 24 hours
after a ramp leading to the Second Penang Bridge collapsed is believed
to be 45-year-old Tajuddin Zainal Abidin, a former policeman, from
Permatang Damar Laut, based on identification by family members.
In a press conference, Penang deputy police chief SAC Datuk Abdul Rahim Jaafar
said the body of the victim was retrieved from beneath the rubble at
8.49pm, and his identity could not be verified as lighting at the site
was poor.
"In the afternoon, the victim's brother came and made
the identification. Based on what the victim was wearing, he is believed
to be his younger brother, who was reported missing since yesterday
(Thursday).
"After the body was extricated, the victim's wife
identified the body and based on his clothing, she said the victim was
her husband," he said.
"We are continuing with our search and
rescue effort as public information from when the incident took place
claimed that several vehicles were trapped.
"We are not certain
if the information is accurate or not, but the operation will continue,"
he said, adding that to date, only Tajuddin's family had reported a
missing family member.
SAC Abdul Rahim declined to describe the condition of the body out of respect to the family members.
"He was the only victim in the car," he said.
When pressed to confirm the victim's identity, he said verification could either be made Friday night or Saturday morning.
He also said police did not search the body for any identification document at the scene.
A group of some 10 family members followed the police truck that carried the body bag to the hospital.
On the retrieval of the body, Penang Fire and Rescue Dept deputy director Mohamad Shoki Hamzah said they used the crane to support the metal 'I-beam' as they pulled the body out of the car.
"He was slumped over the steering wheel. He was alone," he said, adding rescue operations are still ongoing.
He added a K9 tracker dog unit from Kuala Lumpur would be deployed Saturday to search for other victims.
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