TAWAU: A least four people died in separate accidents in Tawau, Beluran and Kunak within 24 hours, Tuesday.
In TAWAU, a father and his daughter were killed after their motorcycle was hit by a car along Jalan Merotai-Tawau near Kampung Melati Burut, early Tuesday.
Muhammad Yusuf Pandang, 54 and his daughter Zurainy, 24, were reportedly on their way to her workplace when the tragedy occurred.
Acting Tawau District Police Chief Supt Champin Piuh said police received a report about the fatal crash around 6.30am involving a Perodua Axia and a Yamaha 135LC motorcycle.
“Initial investigation revealed the 38-year-old car driver, who was carrying four passengers, was heading from the town centre towards Merotai.
“The motorcycle ridden by the victims was coming from Kampung Melati Burut towards Ladang Guthrie when it collided. The car had veered into the opposite lane,” he said.
Champin said the impact caused the motorcycle to be dragged to the left side of the road while the car skidded into a roadside drain. “Both victims sustained severe injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene while the car driver and passengers escaped unhurt,” he said.
Police are investigating the case under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless or dangerous driving resulting in death.
In BELURAN, a man believed to be an 80-year-old local from Kampung Sungai Sapi was found dead after his four-wheel-drive vehicle plunged into a ravine along KM75 Jalan Beluran–Telupid, Tuesday morning.
Workers from the Pan Borneo project discovered the victim’s vehicle at the site and alerted authorities.
The man who was found trapped inside the vehicle, believed to have died at the scene.
District Police Chief Supt Hasan Majid said they received a report at around 10am. Initial investigations suggested that the victim lost control of his vehicle before it veered off the road and fell into a nine-metre-deep ravine.
He said further examination indicated the man had likely been dead for more than 24 hours before his body was found.
Hasan said police are continuing their investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident, including whether there were any contributing factors such as road conditions or mechanical failure.
He urged anyone who may have witnessed the accident to come forward and assist in the investigation.
Those with information can contact Investigating Officer Insp Asdar Miktar at 011-15481071 or the Beluran Police Station at 089-511222.
In KUNAK, a 44-year-old woman was killed after the Proton Wira she was travelling in was involved in a three-vehicle collision along Jalan Kunak–Semporna, Tuesday morning.
District Fire and Rescue Chief Mohamad Omarbatha said they received a distress call via the MERS999 line at 8.46am.
A team led by Senior Fire Officer II Ibrahim Ismail, together with five personnel, was dispatched to the scene located about three kilometres from the station.
“The crash involved three vehicles, including two three-tonne Hino lorries and a Proton Wira. A woman driver trapped in the car was extricated using special rescue tools.
“The victim was confirmed dead at the scene by Health Ministry paramedics,” he said, adding that her remains were handed over to the police for further action.
Three other occupants of the Proton Wira were rescued by members of the public before the firefighters arrived and later sent to hospital for treatment.
