Falling rock at Perak cultural village kills tourist bus driver

 

A falling rock killed a man at the Qing Xing Ling Leisure and Cultural Village in Taman Saikat, Perak, yesterday morning.

Ipoh police chief Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad said in a statement last night that police were informed about the incident by the public at 11.30am yesterday.

Initial investigations revealed that the victim was a 44-year-old tourist bus driver who had taken tourists from Vietnam to Ipoh for sightseeing.

According to Abang Zainal, a large rock fell on the victim’s head while he was in the cultural village.

He died at the location due to severe head injuries.

His body was later sent to the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh and according to the forensic expert from the hospital, the cause of death was due to trauma to the head caused by the impact of the falling rock.

Foul play was ruled out.

Abang Zainal urged those with information about the incident to contact the Ipoh district control centre at 05-2542222 to assist with investigations.

Meanwhile, the Qing Xin Ling Leisure and Cultural Village was temporarily closed until a full report regarding the fatal incident was released, said Simpang Pulai assemblyperson Wong Chai Yi.

She said she was told a mitigation report is being prepared by appointed professional consultants to ensure safety measures in the area are tightened.

“The report may take some time and the best step is to temporarily close the area to prevent similar incidents from occurring,” she said when met at the village today.

Wong said initial investigations showed that the victim was from Pulau Pangkor.

Meanwhile, village operator Cheng Swee Kiat said they are prepared to assist the victim’s family in obtaining compensation through the insurance provided.

He said this was the first fatal incident in the tourist area since it was opened more than two years ago in collaboration with the Ipoh City Council.

“I apologise for the unfortunate incident and we promise to assist the victim’s family through the insurance coverage provided by our company,” he said.

- Bernama