Driver held for hitting sports official and participant
BALIK PULAU: Police have arrested a 34-year-old man for ramming his car into an official and participant of a sports event in Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Bayan Lepas.
The driver is said to have lost control of his vehicle before hitting a motorcycle ridden by a Round-the-Island Relay event official and a participant, who was riding pillion.
The impact saw both the 51-year-old official and the 16-year-old participant flung off the vehicle. The young participant’s legs were fractured while the official sustained head injuries in the 4am incident near the Bayan Lepas Industrial area.
Balik Pulau OCPD Supt A. Anbalagan said the victims were rushed to the Penang Hospital.
“The suspect was also brought to the hospital to check for traces of alcohol,” he said.
Supt Anbalagan said initial investigations showed that the weather condition was good and sufficient lighting was available at the accident spot.
Meanwhile, state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee said the event organised by the Penang Amateur Athletics Association was not recognised by the state government.
“However, the state is willing to help in any way, by offering the necessary assistance to the victims,” he said.
Soon urged organisers to get the support of the state for future events.
“Organisers should give their utmost importance to the safety of participants and the state is ready to advise them on such matters,” he said.