SEMPORNA: A spillage of oil palm fruit on the road is believed to have caused a crash involving three vehicles at the Kalumpang four-way junction of Jalan Semporna–Tawau on Saturday.
The incident was reported to the Semporna Fire and Rescue Station (BBP Semporna) at 9.52 am. According to the operations report, the fire and rescue team arrived at the scene at 10.30 am after travelling about 50 kilometres. The crash involved an Isuzu D-Max, a Toyota Hilux and a Toyota Avanza.
A truck carrying a load of oil palm fruit was believed to have spilled its load, scattering the fruit across the road. The three vehicles were believed to have been trying to avoid the fruit before the crash. All vehicles involved, including the truck, were travelling towards Tawau.
Seven victims were involved—three men and four women. Of the four female victims, three suffered minor injuries while one had a heart condition. Of the three male victims, one identified as the Isuzu D-Max driver, was trapped and seriously injured, one suffered minor injuries, and one was unhurt.
The operation was led by Operations Commander PB Amir Harun Basirun, with eight personnel from BBP Semporna. Other agencies assisting were district police, KKM Tawau with one, and KKM Semporna with one.
At 10.35 am, the EMRS team provided initial treatment to the seriously injured male victim who was trapped before taking him to Semporna Hospital. At 10.40 am, the fire and rescue team transferred a female victim—a passenger in the Toyota Avanza who had a heart condition—to a KKM Tawau ambulance for further treatment.
At 12.15 pm, a second KKM Semporna ambulance took two victims to Semporna Hospital. At 12:18 pm, Semporna EMRS took two female victims to the same hospital. The incident was reported under control at 12:18 pm.
Clean-up operations for oil residue, oil palm fruit and glass fragments on the road surface using a hose reel and foam were carried out until completed. The operation ended at 12:36 pm after the team confirmed there were no other hazards. – James Leong
Scene of the three-vehicle crash at the four-way junction of Jalan Semporna-Tawau.
