Ambulance hits buffalo, health workers, patient survive with light injuries

BATU GAJAH - Three health workers and a patient survived after the ambulance they were in hit a buffalo at Jalan Ipoh-Lumut near Pusing, here, yesterday.

Perak deputy police chief Datuk Azizi Mat Aris said a 37-year-old nurse assistant was slightly injured on the left leg and a 40-year-old nurse assistant with three broken ribs and a cut on the left leg.

He said a 32-year-old female patient suffered a bruise on her left hand while a 47-year-old ambulance driver escaped unscrathed in the road crash at around 10.30pm.

"The investigation found that the accident transpired when the ambulance from Batu Gajah Hospital's Emergency Unit bringing the patient to Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, Ipoh.

"Upon arrival at the scene, the vehicle in question hit a group of buffaloes crossing the road from left to right," he said here, today.

Azizi said that all the injured victims were taken to Batu Gajah Hospital for treatment and the case is investigated in accordance with Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

He added that enforcement action will be implemented in the near future to deal with the issue of wild animals.

"We have received an order for action from Kinta district officials, Batu Gajah district council and the Veterinary Services Department to be carried out in the near future.

"Farmers around the district are asked to not let livestock roam as it can threaten the safety of road users," he said.

Meanwhile, Tronoh assemblyman Steven Tiw hopes that the Public Works Department will upgrade the federal road.

"The location of the accident has been poorly lit for the past 15 years. Apart from that, it is the main road that connects Ipoh and Tronoh," he said, urging Public Works Ministry to install lights in the area to prevent road accidents.