By JAMES LEONG
LAHAD DATU: A second victim of a five-vehicle collision at Kilometre 14 Jalan Lahad Datu–Tawau has died, bringing the total number of fatalities to two.
The front passenger, a 35-year-old woman, succumbed to her injuries while being transported to Lahad Datu Hospital. The driver of the Proton Saga, a 21-year-old woman, was confirmed dead at the scene.
The incident occurred around 4.30 pm Saturday at the said location, involving two cars (a Proton Saga and a Perodua Alza), a lorry, a motorcycle, and a Hitachi heavy machinery vehicle.
Deputy OCPD Superintendent Jimmy Panyau, said initial investigations revealed that the Proton Saga, driven by the 21-year-old woman travelling from Tawau towards Lahad Datu, lost control and veered into the opposite lane.
“The car then collided with a Nissan Rigid-Dumper lorry driven by a 45-year-old man coming from the opposite direction.
“As a result of the collision, the lorry swerved into the opposite lane before hitting a Perodua Alza driven by a 32-year-old man and a motorcycle ridden by a 20-year-old man,” he said in a statement.
He added that the impact also caused the lorry and the Perodua Alza to plunge into a ravine on the left side of the road. The Perodua Alza also struck a Hitachi machinery vehicle that was parked at the location.
All other passengers and the motorcyclist were sent to the hospital for further treatment, while the drivers of the lorry and the Perodua Alza were reported to have suffered no serious injuries.
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
He advised road users to always exercise caution and comply with traffic regulations to prevent untoward incidents.
The impact of the crash caused the lorry and the Perodua Alza to plunge into a ravine near the Pan Borneo Highway construction area. – Social Media Image.
