Second Penang Bridge ramp collapses, one trapped motorcyclist freed

An uncompleted flyover connecting to the still-under-construction second Penang bridge at Batu Maung collapsed at around 7pm Thursday, burying two cars and a motorcycle under the debris.

State Fire and Rescue Department have mobilised hundreds of firemen from throughout the state as well as volunteers to the scene, including medical personnel.
Firemen are extricating the debris to reach the motorist and motorcyclists, believed to be pinned under the rubble, consisting mostly metal scaffolding and steel beams.

Fire and Rescue Department confirmed that one motorcyclist who was earlier trapped have been pulled out. He suffered injuries to his head.
Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, who was on the scene, said about a 30m-long span of the ramp was believed to have collapsed around 7pm, as work to install concrete boulders to strengthen the structure was ongoing.
He said he was informed a few people may be trapped under the rubble.
As of 9.20pm, state executive councillor Lim Hock Seng said there were no casualties.
"It's too early to say if there is any casualties.
"We also cannot confirm yet the cause of the accident," he said, adding that a full investigation would be carried out.

Police have began deploying traffic policemen as the incident has caused a severe jam to ensue near the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway.
Many motorists have also stopped to look at the debris.
As of 9:30pm Thusrday night, fire department authorities have briefed Sim and Lim, saying a car was believed trapped under the rubble.
They are waiting for a larger crane so they can lift heavier pieces of rubble.
R. Thilasheni, 24, whose car's windscreen was shattered by a falling beam during the incident, was still in a state of shock.
"We were lucky to come out alive. We were only about three seconds away from when the ramp collapsed," she said.
She was travelling with her friend G. Gajashaantini, also 24.
She believed a motorcyclist was trapped under the rubble and said a beam fell onto a blue-coloured Myvi car in the incident.
The 24km-long bridge was set for completion next month.
The longest bridge in South-East Asia and 20th in the world was supposed to go through road commissioning and testing in August before being officially opened in September.