LAHAD DATU: A 33-year-old woman was killed, and 13 others were injured when the pickup truck they were traveling in veered off the road and plunged into a 15-meter-deep ravine near Ladang Permai, 14 km from here, early yesterday.
The accident occurred at around 5:30am while the group, some of whom were seated in the truck’s cargo bed, was reportedly on their way to work. The driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to fall into the ravine.
Lahad Datu Fire and Rescue Station Chief Sumsoa Rashid said firemen reached the scene at 6.08 am after receiving a distress call at 5:53am.
“All victims—seven men, a boy, and seven women—had already been helped out of the vehicle by passersby before the firemen’s arrival,” he added.
Firefighters assisted in transporting the victims to the roadside for medical attention. Unfortunately, medical personnel pronounced the woman dead at the scene, and her body was handed over to the police.
The 13 injured victims were rushed to the hospital for further treatment while the driver was unharmed, Sumsoa said.
Lahad Datu police are investigating to determine the cause of the accident. – James Leong
