Kota Kinabalu: A 53-year-old man and his 24-year-old daughter were killed after a 40-foot container toppled and crushed the car they were travelling in at Jalan Pelabuhan Sepanggar Bay, near Wisma Sabah Ports, here, on Sunday.
Mohd Jadi Pelbi, who was driving the Toyota Avanza, and his, Norfaieza, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Centre said according to witnesses, the trailer lorry was loading a container onto the trailer from the roadside when it tipped over and crushed the passing Avanza.
A total of 26 personnel, along with various firefighting and rescue vehicles, rushed to the scene, about 25km away, after receiving an emergency call at 6.31pm.
Firefighters managed to extricate both victims from the crushed vehicle with the assistance of two cranes belonging to the lorry company.
However, both victims were confirmed dead at the scene by Health Ministry medical personnel due to severe injuries, and their bodies were then handed over to the police for post-mortem arrangements.
The lorry was driven by a 49-year-old man.
Family members at the said the father and daughter were returning home to Kampung Kuala Menggatal.
Mohd Jadi had just fetched Norfieza, who worked at a furniture outlet in Menggatal. Norfieza was the fourth of 11 siblings, comprising six sons and daughters. Members of the public claimed the stretch is usually closed during container loading and unloading. This time, it was left open for cars to pass.
Meanwhile, police have detained the driver of the side-lifter lorry involved in the accident.
“We will look into why the container was placed by the roadside and whether it was deliberate or due to unavoidable factors,” Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun told a media conference.
He said this in response to questions about whether police would take action against the container company.
“The driver involved has been arrested and will be remanded,” he said.
“Whoever operated the machine that lifted the container is the main suspect,” he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 41 of the Road Transport Act for causing death.
Jauteh said traffic police would conduct continuous operations at any place where containers were placed.
“Action can be taken under Section 28 of the Road Transport Act for obstructing traffic.
“Even if it is placed at the side, it can also cause the view to be obstructed.
“Moving the container to another vehicle also causes congestion because big machinery is needed to lift it.
“It is more suitable for police and other agencies to meet the port authorities or others involved with containers to ensure none is left by the roadside,” he said.
