BALING: A man had a narrow escape from death, suffering only minor injuries when the Perodua Myvi he was driving plunged into a ravine in Kampung Kemangi, Jalan Baru Kulim-Baling-Gerik, yesterday.
Baling District Police Chief, Superintendent Shamsudin Mamat said in the 5.30pm incident, the driver, Ismail Rasdi, 26, was sent to Baling Hospital after sustaining superficial wounds on his right shoulder, injuries on his left leg, wounds on both hands, and body aches.
He said initial investigations revealed that the Perodua Myvi driven by the victim, who works as a public health assistant at the Baling Health Office, was coming from Kelantan heading towards his home in Taman Bersatu here.
"As he arrived at the scene, the car he was driving is believed to have lost control while descending a descent, and the wet road conditions and sharp bend caused the car to skid and crash into the iron barrier on the left side of the road, before plunging into the ravine.
"The car was difficult to see at the time due to its position far below the ravine, approximately between 100 to 120 metres deep," he said in a statement today.
Shamsudin said the case is being investigated under Rule 10 LN 166/59.
He said a check with the Baling Fire and Rescue Department found no traces of oil on the road at the location that could have caused the accident.
Meanwhile, Baling Fire and Rescue Station chief, Assistant Fire Rescue Officer Mohd Jamil Mat Daud said they received a call on the incident at 5.40 pm yesterday.
He said a team from the Baling Fire and Rescue Department led by Senior Fire Officer II Mohd Yunus Ali arrived at the scene along with eight personnel.
"As they arrived, it was found that the victim was not trapped, and the firefighters successfully located and descended the slope with a rope to bring the victim up.
"The victim was then taken to Baling Hospital using the Baling Fire and Rescue Department's EMRS vehicle for further treatment," he said.