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KOTA KINABALU - Four people were killed after the car they were travelling in collided with a lorry in Kampung Gambaron, Telupid, about 230 kilometres from here, this morning.
The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department Operations Centre said it received an emergency call on the crash involving two vehicles travelling in opposite directions at 7.28am.
Seven firefighters from the Beluran Fire and Rescue Station travelled 93 kilometres to the scene, but faced difficulties due to the lack of telephone coverage and Government Integrated Radio Network (GIRN) connectivity.
"Four victims were in the car and were extricated by firefighters, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Civil Defence Force before medical personnel from the Health Ministry (MOH) confirmed that they died at the scene,” it said in a statement today.
The identities and genders of the victims had yet to be established, while their bodies were handed over to PDRM for further action.
The lorry driver sustained minor injuries and received initial treatment from MOH medical personnel before being taken to the Telupid Health Clinic, according to the statement.
The rescue operation ended at 9.58am after personnel ensured the scene was safe and free from any further hazards.
Telupid is an inland district in Sabah, while Sandakan, the nearest major town, is about 130 kilometres away.
Meanwhile, Beluran district police chief Supt Hasan Majid said the car was driven by a 63-year-old local man who was carrying three foreign nationals, all of whom were killed in the crash.
He said the 44-year-old local lorry driver was injured on his legs and hands, while the four occupants of the car were trapped in the front and rear seats in the incident, which occurred at about 6.30am at KM7 of Jalan Telupid-Beluran.
"Preliminary investigations found that the car, travelling from Beluran towards Telupid town, is believed to have lost control while negotiating a bend.
"The car is believed to have entered the opposite lane before colliding with a lorry travelling to work from Kampung Gambaron towards Gerak Maju Reality," he said in a statement today.
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 by the Beluran district police headquarters' Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division.
Members of the public or witnesses with information or dashcam recordings are urged to assist the investigation by contacting investigating officer Insp Alpius @ Nickee Bin Yakim at 019-8707626 or visiting the nearest police station. - BERNAMA
