Dr Subramaniam sustains minor neck injury after car skids

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam sustained a minor injury in the neck while his bodyguard was seriously hurt when the car they were travelling in was involved in an accident at KM220 of the North-South Expressway near Pedas-Linggi tonight.

Melaka police chief Datuk Chua Ghee Lye said based on the preliminary findings, the car was believed to have knocked into the back of a lorry which suddenly switched lanes from the middle to the right lane in the 8pm incident.

"Datuk Seri's (Dr Subramaniam's) injury is not serious but his bodyguard suffered abdomeninal injuries and is still in the operating theatre of the Melaka General Hospital (MGH) at the moment.

"They were initially given treatment at the Alor Gajah hospital before being transferred to MGH," he told reporters here tonight.

He added that the driver of the car was not hurt and that Dr Subramaniam would be kept at MGH overnight as a precautionary measure.

Chuah said the lorry involved had driven off from the accident scene and police were tracing the vehicle.

Meanwhile, Melaka MIC chairman Datuk M.S Mahadevan said Dr Subramaniam was on his way to Melaka to attend a meeting on the MIC General Assembly on Nov 30 here.

The ambulance which brought Dr Subramaniam arrived at MGH at 11.10pm and he was conscious with neck braces to support his injured neck.

Melaka Yang Dipertua Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob visited the victims at the the hospital.

Melaka MIC chairman Datuk M.S. Mahadevan said the incident occurred about 8.30pm when Dr Subramaniam was on his way to Melaka to attend a meeting to discuss the organisation of the MIC General Assembly which will be held on Nov 30 here.

He said Dr Subramaniam, who is also the deputy president of MIC, was currently being treated at the Alor Gajah Hospital and that his condition was stable.

"He is ok, can speak no problem, so far we know he sustained only a minor injury on the neck and is being treated. If there is anything serious we will take him for follow-up treatment at the Melaka General Hospital," he told Bernama here tonight.