BIDOR: Hundreds of people were stranded at the Sungai Klah hot spring yesterday after a bridge collapse cut off the main access route to the area.

It is learnt that the bridge collapsed on Saturday night following heavy rain.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department operations chief Sabarodzie Nor Ahmad said the department received a distress call at 10.46am yesterday, and a team of firemen from Bidor was despatched to the scene.

He said the incident happened on the main access road leading to the Sungai Klah hot spring, Kampung Tisong and the Buyong Mas Sanctuary campsite.

“No injuries or casualties were reported.

“Among those stranded were 17 families comprising 39 adults and 16 children, along with residents from the Orang Asli village of Kampung Tisong.

“In addition, 81 students from Politeknik Sultan Azlan Shah in Behrang and 10 staff members were at the Buyong Mas Sanctuary camp site at the time of the incident.”

He said firemen were working with other agencies to evacuate the victims.

“The operation involved the Batang Padang district office, Sungkai police and the Muallim Civil Defence Force.”