LAHAD DATU: Four men were killed while six others, including three children, were injured in two separate road accidents in Lahad Datu and Kimanis.
District Police Chief ACP Dzulbaharin Ismail said the first accident occurred at about 8.25am on Monday at KM18 of Jalan Lahad Datu-Tawau, involving an Isuzu D-Max four-wheel-drive vehicle and a motorcycle.
He said preliminary investigations found that the 31-year-old driver of the four-wheel-drive and his passenger were travelling towards Tawau from Lahad Datu when the motorcycle, travelling in the opposite direction, entered their lane while overtaking another vehicle.
“Due to the short distance between them, the four-wheel-drive was unable to avoid the motorcycle and collided with it.
“The impact caused the 23-year-old motorcyclist to fall under the four-wheel-drive. Both vehicles then veered and were dragged towards the road shoulder,” he said in a statement, Tuesday.
The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver and passenger of the four-wheel-drive escaped unhurt.
At about 8pm the same day, another accident occurred at KM46 of Jalan Lahad Datu-Tungku involving a Proton Saga.
Dzulbaharin said the vehicle, carrying three men, was travelling towards Lahad Datu town from Tungku when the driver lost control and veered onto the road shoulder.
The vehicle then crashed into an electricity pole before plunging into a ravine.
“All three victims, aged 17, 18 and another whose age has yet to be determined, were confirmed dead at the scene,” he said.
A preliminary inspection found tyre marks extending about 20 metres along the road shoulder, believed to have been left by the vehicle.
Both cases are being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
Dzulbaharin urged anyone with information or who witnessed either accident to contact Insp Humaidi Harun at 089-881255 or the nearest police station.
He also reminded motorists to exercise caution, comply with traffic laws and ensure their vehicles are in safe and roadworthy condition.
Meanwhile, the Fire and Rescue Department said it received a distress call regarding the Proton Saga accident at 7.38pm.
A team from the Lahad Datu Fire and Rescue Station was dispatched to the scene, about 50km from the station.
Upon arrival, the operation commander reported that the Proton Saga had skidded onto the road shoulder before plunging into a five-metre-deep ravine.
Three men were confirmed dead at the scene by Health Ministry personnel, and their bodies were handed over to police.
Another man who sustained injuries was taken to the hospital by a Health Ministry ambulance for further treatment.
The operation ended at 8.45pm after the scene was declared safe.
An accident involving three vehicles left six with minor injuries along Jalan Malawaring.In KIMANIS, six people, including three children, suffered minor injuries in an accident involving three vehicles along Jalan Malawaring near Kg Nyaris-Nyaris, Sunday.
Fire and Rescue Department spokesperson said six personnel led by Senior Officer Railey Gabik were dispatched to the scene, about 11km from the Kimanis Fire and Rescue Station, after receiving a distress call at 3.32pm.
The accident involved a Toyota Innova, Perodua Myvi and Perodua Kancil.
Five of the injured were travelling in the Innova, comprising a 49-year-old male driver, a 35-year-old woman, a nine-year-old boy, an eight-year-old girl and a three-year-old toddler.
The Kancil, driven by a 50-year-old man, was also involved, with its driver sustaining chest injuries.
The Myvi, driven by a 61-year-old man, was not injured.
All the injured victims received preliminary treatment at the scene before being taken to Papar Hospital for further treatment.
