A 10-tonne container lorry carrying online shopping goods skidded off the road before plunging into a river at Kilometre 213.0 of the North-South Expressway (PLUS) northbound near Kampung Jebong Lama on Sunday.
The incident, which occurred at about 7.19am, left the male driver in his 30s injured on the face after members of the public managed to rescue him before the arrival of emergency responders.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Division assistant director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said six firefighters from the Taiping Fire and Rescue Station, along with a fire engine, were deployed to the scene after receiving an emergency call.
He said the team arrived at the location at 7.40am and found the container lorry had landed in the river.
“The male victim had already been removed by members of the public before firefighters arrived and was found to have suffered facial injuries.
“The operation commander conducted an assessment at the scene and instructed personnel to monitor the surrounding area to ensure no other victims were involved,” he said in a statement.
The driver was later assisted to the roadside, where he received initial treatment from Ministry of Health (MOH) medical personnel at the location.
He was subsequently transported to a hospital by an MOH ambulance for further treatment.
The rescue operation was brought under control at 7.46am and fully concluded at 8.20am. No other casualties were reported in the incident.
