TAWAU: A woman was killed in a three-vehicle collision on Jalan Bombalai to Merotai early Thursday, while in a separate incident, a CPO tanker truck skidded off the road in Bukit Ular with both drivers rescued by the public.
In the fatal accident around 7.40 am, a 38-year-old security guard, who had just finished her shift at Tawau Hospital, was driving a Perodua Viva.
Tawau OCPD ACP Jasmin Hussin said the woman was believed to have fallen asleep while navigating a bend from Tawau town towards Merotai, causing her vehicle to veer into the opposite lane.
The Viva collided with a Proton Saga driven by a 35-year-old woman, then spun back into its own lane before crashing into a Toyota Hilux pickup truck driven by a 31-year-old woman.
The Viva driver was trapped and later pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel. The Proton Saga driver sustained injuries to her neck and abdomen. The entire incident was captured on the pickup truck’s dashboard camera.
Checks confirmed the deceased did not possess a valid driving licence. The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
ACP Jasmin advised the public not to drive while drowsy or fatigued, as it endangers both themselves and other road users.
In a separate incident in Lahad Datu, a crude palm oil tanker truck skidded off the road on Jalan Lahad Datu-Kunak, Bukit Ular, on Thursday.
Two victims were extracted by members of the public and taken to the hospital before rescue personnel arrived.
Kunak firemen reached the scene at 12.13 pm covering 25 kilometres, and discovered a diesel spill. They cleaned the road using FOAM, and the operation concluded at 12.54 pm with no other hazards detected. – James Leong
The badly damaged CPO tanker truck after the accident at Bukit Ular on Thursday.
