IPOH – Two men died in a landslide at FT 185, KM27.10 of the Jalan Simpang Pulai-Blue Valley road here yesterday.
According to Perak police chief Datuk Mior Faridalathrash Wahid, who was at the location, the dead were lorry driver Muhammad Hafiz Hamdi, 31, while the other was the driver of a multi-purpose vehicle in his 50s, whose identity has not been ascertained.
A Perak Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said the lorry driver had responded on the evening of the incident during an effort to rescue him, but was later confirmed to have died.
After almost seven hours of the search-and rescue operation, rescuers had succeeded in extricating both the bodies from the two vehicles in the landslide last night at about 10pm, to be taken to Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital here for post-mortem and claims by the next-of-kin.
Hafiz was heading to Simpang Pulai from Cameron Highlands, while the MPV driver was going to Penang from Gua Musang, Kelantan.
State Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transportation Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun said continuous rain caused the landslide at the cut slope area on the route.
The landslide occurred along a 100-metre stretch. The main route to Cameron Highlands is still not safe for all types of vehicles and is still under the control of the concessionaire. – Bernama, December 3, 2021
