The police have set up a special team to investigate the death of an elderly man who was killed when his motorcycle skidded after his wife's gold necklace was snatched by two men in front of a market in Kepala Batas last night.

Penang police chief Abdul Rahim Hanafi said the police were tracking down the suspects.

"Police are looking for the two men who robbed the victim and hope the investigation into the case will be expedited with help from the special team.

"We also hope the public or witnesses will contact the nearest police station to shed light on the case," he said today.

In the 7.45pm incident, A Joseph, 64, a Seberang Perai Municipal Council retiree, fell of his motorcycle after the thieves tugged hard at his wife's necklace.

His head reportedly struck the ground and he died on the spot.

His wife, A Alaies, 52, was slightly injured. The thieves failed to take the necklace as it had snapped and fallen to the ground.  

The couple, from Bagan Ajam, were on their way to the birthday celebration of a relative in Bertam.

One of their children, J Jacqulin, 35, expressed her anguish over the incident when met at the Kepala Batas Hospital mortuary.

- Bernama