The Kuala Kangsar Municipal Council (MPKK) is currently seeking an allocation of around RM50,000 to install safety netting beneath the iconic Victoria Bridge in Enggor, following a tragic incident that claimed the life of a three-year-old boy on Monday (31st August).
According to KOSMO!, the boy reportedly fell from a height of 5 metres through a hole on the bridge at around 6.30 PM while walking across it with his 41-year-old father. He was pronounced dead at around 7.40 PM.
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Investigation and safety actions underway
Speaking to Harian Metro, Perak police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said police have since opened an investigation paper into the incident under Section 31(1) of the Child Act, as well as a sudden death report (SDR).
“We are still investigating the case. Based on the information gathered so far, the boy fell after he stepped into a hole while walking across the bridge.
“There were no elements of negligence at this stage,” he said at a press conference at the Sungai Siput police headquarters today (2 September). Police are also awaiting the post-mortem report as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, Perak Housing and Local Government Committee Chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching said installing the safety net is an immediate safety measure being implemented while waiting for other repair works to be carried out on the century-old bridge.
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MPKK has been monitoring the site periodically, with the last physical inspection conducted on 30th June.
“In fact, even prior to this incident, an application for funding had already been submitted for maintenance work, which includes replacing approximately 60 worn-out wooden sleepers,” Sandrea Ng told reporters.
The proposed maintenance works include replacing around 60 worn-out railway track timbers on the bridge.
Steel structure section sealed off from visitors
Following the fatal incident, MPKK took swift action by temporarily closing access to the main steel structure of Victoria Bridge starting yesterday (1st September) to protect public safety.
However, the closure does not affect the entire site. The surrounding outer grounds and the brick structure sections remain open and accessible to visitors.
Sandrea Ng said the steel section would remain closed until the worn and rotten track timbers are replaced, additional safety measures are implemented, and the site is deemed safe for reopening.
The Victoria Bridge is an asset owned by the Railway Assets Corporation (RAC), while MPKK also assists with maintaining the surrounding area, as the bridge is one of Kuala Kangsar’s major tourist attractions, the iconic steel girders favoured by photographers as backdrops. Following the incident, the overall safety of the site will also be reviewed with the relevant parties to determine what further improvements may be necessary.
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