By JAMES LEONG
TAWAU: Three members of the same family were killed, while a 15-year-old girl was seriously injured in a road accident involving a Perodua Alza at Mile 14 Jalan Apas here yesterday.
OCPD ACP Rosdi Mat Jusoh said the accident occurred at approximately 9.30am. The deceased were a 50-year-old woman and her two sons, aged 30 and 28. The younger son, who was driving the vehicle, and his elder brother, who was seated in the front passenger seat, died at the scene.
Their mother was seated in the rear right passenger seat, while the 15-year-old daughter was seated behind the driver.
Preliminary investigations found that the family was travelling from Kampung Bahagia, Sandakan, towards Tawau town when the driver was believed to have lost control of the vehicle while travelling along a straight stretch of road.
The car veered off the road to the left, onto a grassy roadside area, before crashing into an oil palm tree. It was then dragged nearly 60 metres before overturning and coming to a stop.
All three victims sustained severe injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel at 10.16am.
The surviving teenager suffered serious injuries to her ribs and abdomen. She was taken by ambulance to Tawau Hospital, where she is receiving treatment in the Emergency Department’s Red Zone.
The bodies of the deceased were sent to Tawau Hospital’s Forensic Unit for post-mortem examinations, scheduled for 8.00pm same day.
Police checks also revealed that the driver did not possess a valid driving licence. The vehicle has been detained for further inspection by the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (PUSPAKOM).
Police are continuing their investigations and are seeking independent witnesses to establish the exact cause of the accident.
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
Rosdi urged motorists to exercise caution, obey traffic regulations and speed limits, and ensure they hold valid driving licences.
He also reminded road users to prioritise their own safety and that of their passengers to prevent tragic incidents.
Rosdi said the accident occurred at approximately 9.30am.
