Power failure disrupts Penang Hill train

The Penang Hill Corporation today cited disruption in electricity supply as the cause of the funicular train stalling when descending the hill last night, leaving more than 100 passengers stranded.

Its general manager, Dr Lawrence Khoo, said several passengers kicked the doors of the train and tried to smash the glass windows after the train stalled.

When they were able to force open the doors, they got out of the train, worsening the situation, he told reporters.

"We have reserve electricity supply which can be used during an emergency, and it would have only required less than 10 minutes to resume the service.

"However, the service could not be resumed because the passengers were walking on the tracks, affecting 250 metres of tracks from the base station, and electricity supply could not be channelled to the coaches," he said.

Khoo said the train service resumed today, and apologised to all the affected passengers.

He said the incident was unexpected and the corporation learnt that the disruption in electricity supply also affected several other areas in the state, including the Penang International Airport.

Khoo dismissed reports that some passengers had suffered a heart attack in the stalled train, saying four passengers were sent to the Penang Hospital after they had difficulty breathing and were sent home after treatment.

These passengers were Jamil Bidin, 57, Ismayati Ismail, 28, Zikri Fikri,six, and an Arab student from Universiti Putra Malaysia, Afat Abdul Kahlea, in his 20s.

Earlier, a spokesman of the Paya Terubong Fire and Rescue Service said a team of firemen rushed to the scene after being notified of trapped passengers at 7.54 pm.