A 52-year-old man, reportedly struggling after a recent cancer diagnosis, is suspected to have jumped off the Penang Second Bridge on Christmas Eve (24 Dec), authorities said.
According to China Press, the man from Simpang Ampat had sent a message to his family indicating his intention to “jump off the bridge.” His relatives immediately began searching for him and contacted community patrol units for assistance.
Later that night, around 11.00pm, members of the public found his Perodua Alza parked at the 18.4km mark of the bridge, heading towards Batu Kawan. Police were notified and dispatched to the scene.
At the site, officers discovered a pair of glasses and slippers left near the edge of the bridge, while the man’s identity card was found inside the vehicle. The man himself was nowhere to be seen.
The Penang Fire and Rescue Department received the emergency call at 10.30pm. A command centre was set up under the bridge, and search teams began monitoring the surrounding sea area.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency reported that high waves and low visibility hampered search efforts, leading to a suspension of the operation for the night. The search resumed at 8.00am on 25 December, with seven firefighters from Bayan Baru station and one fire truck deployed.
The rescue operation is ongoing and is being conducted in coordination with police and maritime authorities.
