Family holds prayer for missing hawker

The family of hawker, Lim Chin Aik, 44, who was believed to have been buried by debris when a lightning arrester pole collapsed at Jalan Macalister, here will hold a prayer session at the incident site for the missing man.

The victim's younger brother, Lim Khun Ling, 43, said the prayers would be held when work to stabilise the site had been completed.

"We accept the decision to stop the search and rescue operation with a heavy heart as all parties have done their best. Our family appreciate the efforts of all parties in searching for my brother," he told reporters here Monday.

Yesterday, members of the victim's family were at the site to perform prayers to help in the search and rescue work.

In the incident last Thursday, a man died after a lightning arrester pole on top of Menara Umno fell on his car during a storm.

A day later, Lee Chai Song had made a report that her husband had been missing and was feared to be a victim in the incident.

Subsequently, the authorities began a search and rescue operation to find Chin Aik and on Saturday, Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi confirmed that the chasis number of a car buried at the site of the lightning arrester pole collapse was that of Chin Aik's.

Late yesterday evening, a search and rescue team found three tyres including the spare tyre.

However, search and rescue works were completely halted at 8am this morning as it was feared the operation would affect the structure of the heritage buildings around the area.

Meanwhile, Penang Hospital Forensic Department pathological consultant specialist, Datuk Dr Bhupinder Singh carried out an examination on the victim's car to enable a death certificate to be issued.

The forensic works were conducted at noon at the site with the assistance of the hospital's forensic consultant specialist, Datuk Dr Zahari Noor.

Penang Umno Youth chief Dr Shaikh Hussein Mydin praised the efficiency of the search and rescue team which had carried out a search and rescue operation at the location.

He said the team comprising personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department, police, Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) and contract workers had carried out their task according to the work standard specified.

"The search and rescue team had carried out their work to the best of their ability, every effort made was based on studies and set procedures," he said.