A SINGAPOREAN woman died while 10 others were injured after a tourist van skidded before plunging into a ravine in Bukit Genting, near Balik Pulau in Penang.

Seri Balik Pulau Fire and Rescue Station operations chief N. Prenavaran said the station was alerted of a road crash at 8.20pm.Rescuers were at the location 10 minutes later.

“On arrival at the location, it was found to be a hilly area that was impossible for the fire engines to  enter. As such, the firefighters were forced to climb the hill for 15 minutes with stretchers and emergency equipment.

“One woman was found to have died and seven were still trapped in the vehicle. Three others were lifted to safety with the help of the public,” he said last night.

He added that fire personnel had to use special equipment to cut the dashboard and steering wheel of the van to extricate a woman who was stuck next to the driver’s seat.

“The operation ended at about 10.45pm after the last victim was removed,” he said.

Southwest district police chief Kamarul Rizal Jenal said there were 11 victims, eight women and three men. Ten were Singaporean tourists while the van driver was Malaysian.

He said the victims have yet to be identified but they are believed to an elderly group who are on holiday in Penang.

“A woman was found dead at the scene and the other 10 injured victims were sent to Penang Hospital and Balik Pulau Hospital for treatment,” he said.

The autopsy will be performed tomorrow, he said, adding that the cause of the crash was under investigation. – Bernama, September 25, 2023.