The family of a 67-year-old man who died after his car skidded into a construction site in Ayer Itam, Penang, on Monday morning (Dec 29, 2025) believes the tragedy could have been prevented and is considering legal action.
The victim was killed at about 9.30am after his vehicle veered into a roadworks area that had been closed for electrical cable installation. During the crash, an iron drill rod pierced through the car, fatally injuring him.
According to Sin Chew Daily, the victim’s 37-year-old son said the family was devastated and questioned why the drill rod was present at the site.
He said a forensic examination found that his father did not sustain serious injuries to his brain or body, but died from severe facial injuries caused by the rod.
“The forensic doctor told us that without the drill rod, my father might not have died,” he said.
The family is now appealing to the public for dashboard camera footage of the incident and said they reserve the right to pursue legal action over the matter. Funeral arrangements have been scheduled for Friday (Jan 2, 2026) at 11am.
Meanwhile, Ayer Itam assemblyperson Joseph Ng Soon Siang said Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) personnel informed him that the iron rod was part of underground directional drilling works and had been lying flat in the pit at the time.
According to the explanation given, one end of the rod allegedly bounced up during the accident, piercing the underside and roof of the vehicle. TNB representatives also stated that the construction area had been carried out according to standard operating procedures, with the excavated road covered by steel plates.
However, it was believed that the steel plates were displaced upon impact and shifted forward following the crash.
Ng said he remains in contact with the victim’s family and will provide assistance where possible as investigations continue.
