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A clip showing a man throwing himself off the Penang Bridge despite several bystanders’ attempts to dissuade him has recently gone viral.
Following the incident, police have launched a search operation to locate the man’s whereabouts.
M’sian man leaps off Penang Bridge, shocks bystanders
At the start of the clip, it showed a middle-aged man in a blue t-shirt and shorts standing precariously on the edge of the Penang Bridge, while several bystanders could be heard discussing over what to do to bring him to safety.
In the background, a woman could be heard asking the man whether he was facing financial troubles and offered to give him some money to alleviate his burden.
However, the man didn’t respond but instead bent his body forward, as if to signal to the bystanders that he was ready to jump off.
Sensing impeding danger, the woman continued to plead with the man, saying, “Don’t do this, abang. We’re here for you.”
As the bystanders continued to try their best to convince the man to not jump off the bridge, one of them is seen climbing over the railing in an attempt to pull him to safety.
To their horror, the man gave them a wave as if to say goodbye before leaping off the ledge and into the dark, cold waters below.
Search operation launched
NST later reported that police are now looking for the man, who was identified as a 48-year-old residing in Bayan Lepas.
Northeast police chief Assistant Commissioner Abdul Rozak Muhammad said a report about the incident which occurred at Km5.5 of the Penang Bridge at 2.50am today.
A Fire and Rescue Department spokesman added two boats have been deployed to locate the man, where search efforts will be focused on where he fell.
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Befrienders KL
Contact: 03-76272929
Operating hours: 24/7
Befrienders Penang
Contact: 04-2910 100
Operating hours: 3pm- 12am daily
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Contact: 1800 225757
Operating hours: 4 pm-8 pm daily
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Counselling Helpline: 03-4265 7995
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Late-Night Helpline: 011-5779 5803, 011-5779 5813
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