2 dead, 3 critically injured in SUKE overhead bridge collapse

KUALA LUMPUR – Two women died while three more were severely injured after the van they were travelling in was crushed by an overhead bridge structure, which collapsed in an incident at Desa Tun Razak here this evening.

Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department head Zulkefly Yahya said in the incident at 5.58pm, the van was driving along the Middle Ring Road 2 and two victims were killed on scene.

He said the five victims aged between 30 and 45 are locals.

“The van driver who was seriously injured was pulled out at 8.55pm while the last victim was rescued at 9.27pm.

“The injured victims have been taken to Tuanku Muhriz Hospital for treatment,” he said when met at the location.

He said police had earlier received a report that a trailer hit the iron scaffolding of the Sg Besi-Ulu Kelang Expressway (SUKE).

He said the trailer driver, who is a local, had lodged a police report and was detained to facilitate investigation under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department director Nordin Pauzi said it took more than three hours to extricate the victims and involved the deployment of a crane.

He said firefighters had to be cautious as a second collapse may have occurred. 

“Firemen used three cranes to remove the collapsed structure on the van before succeeding in getting all the victims out,” he said.   

The incident also caused a road closure, which resulted in a 2km-long traffic jam.

A resident who lives nearby the location of the incident, Zamirullah Sudin, said he heard a loud boom, not unlike a thunderclap, from his home, before he saw the structure collapse.

“When I saw that, I hurried to the location and saw many people crowding to look at the accident. The accident also caused a congestion of over 2km because it happened in the middle of the road,” he told Bernama.

A female witness, who wishes to be known as Haun, said that during the incident, she was at home and also heard a loud noise.

“I live in a flat nearby the location and when I went out to my balcony, I saw the incident unfold,” she said. – Bernama, March 3, 2021