IPOH: Police have confirmed that a car that crashed into a temple area in Tanjung Rambutan yesterday was due to the driver suffering from hypoglycemia, and not due to drunk driving.
Perak police chief Datuk Azizi Mat Aris said the man who was seen driving the SUV in a viral video on social media was suffering from hypoglycemia due to diabetes at the time of the incident.
Azizi explained that the 41-year-old local man, lost control as he suddenly lost consciousness while travelling from the Tanjung Rambutan health clinic towards Changkat Kinding.
"After passing through the traffic lights and continuing his journey, the driver suddenly lost control of the vehicle due to losing consciousness and crashed into the temple grounds, hitting a temple pillar.
Azizi said the Ipoh district police received a public complaint about the incident shared on social media, which inaccurately described the driver as being drunk and crashing into the temple area.
Police received a report regarding the incident at 8.36am yesterday. Initial investigations revealed that the accident occurred at the Arulmigusamayapura Mariamman Temple in Tanjung Rambutan, and involved an SUV.
"Based on medical records, the driver had a history of diabetes and is believed to have experienced hypoglycemia during the incident," he said in a statement yesterday (Sept 12).
He also advised the public to refrain from making provocative or sensitive comments on social media without verified facts, as it may cause public concern.