A man died apparently due to smoke inhalation after the audio system of a car driven by his friend caught fire in Lebuh Chulia in George Town early today.

Abdul Rahim Md Nor, 63, passed out in the incident that happened at 12.42am and died at 3am while undergoing treatment at the Penang Hospital.

Lebuh Pantai Fire and Rescue Service operations chief Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah said the friend, in his 50s, was trying to remove Abdul Rahim from the car when firemen arrived.

A family member who declined to be identified said Abdul Rahim, who suffered from a heart ailment, had left home in Bukit Jambul at 11am to meet a friend.

“The doctor said Abdul Rahim had suffered a heart attack. He was having difficulty breathing and had to be given aid after he was removed from the car,” said the family member when met at the Forensics Department of the hospital.

- Bernama