IPOH, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- Police have opened two investigation papers into the death of a three-year-old boy who is believed to have fallen about five metres from Victoria Bridge in Enggor, near Kuala Kangsar, yesterday.
Perak Police Chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the investigation papers were opened under Section 31(1) of the Child Act 2001, with several individuals summoned to assist the investigation.
Based on statements from several witnesses, the victim is believed to have fallen while walking after stepping into a gap in the bridge’s structure.
“Preliminary investigations found no element of negligence in the incident. We are awaiting the post-mortem results from Kuala Kangsar Hospital,” he told a press conference at the Sungai Siput District Police Headquarters (IPD) here today.
Meanwhile, State Housing and Local Government Committee chairperson Sandrea Ng Shy Ching said the Kuala Kangsar Municipal Council (MPKK) had immediately closed visitor access to the steel structure section of the bridge as a safety measure.
She said the closure would remain in place temporarily pending the replacement of worn and rotten track timbers, installation of additional safety measures and confirmation that the area is safe to reopen.
“According to MPKK, the bridge has been monitored periodically, with the latest physical inspection conducted on June 30, 2026.
“Prior to this incident, an application for funds had already been submitted for maintenance work, including the replacement of about 60 worn-out track timbers,” she said in a statement.
Sandrea added that MPKK was also seeking about RM50,000 as an immediate allocation to install safety netting beneath the bridge while awaiting funds for other repair works.
She said the overall safety of the site would also be reviewed in consultation with the relevant parties to determine appropriate improvement measures.
The victim, Abdul Rafee Abdul Halim, reportedly fell through a gap in the bridge at about 6.30 pm yesterday while walking with his father and died in the incident.
The more than 125-year-old Victoria Bridge is a historic railway bridge in Enggor.
-- BERNAMA