GEORGE TOWN: A 20-year-old man is feared to have drowned after leaping from the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge here in the wee hours of Tuesday (Oct 26).

       The Penang Fire & Rescue Department spokesperson said the department received a distress call informing them about the incident at KM12.6 of theBatu Maung-bound lane of the bridge at 2.47am.

       "A team of firemen from the Bayan Baru fire station were dispatched to the scene," he said in a statement.

       The spokesperson said a motorcycle believed to belong to the victim was found at the location where he leapt from the bridge.

       He said a search and rescue operation was activated involving the Fire and Rescue Department, marine police from Batu Uban and thePenang Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).

       He said a Fire and Rescue Department control post has also been established at Batu Maung.

       As of press time, rescuers were still scouring the surrounding area near the bridge for the victim's body.

       Those suffering from problems can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service at 03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392; Talian Kasih at 15999 or 019-261 5999; Jakim’s (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) family, social and community care centre at 0111-959 8214; and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur at 03-7627 2929 or go to befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia for a full list of numbers nationwide and operating hours, or email sam@befrienders.org.my.