One Killed, Seven Injured In Three-Vehicle Crash

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- A man was killed and eight others, including a young girl, were injured in an accident involving an express bus and two lorries at KM433 of the North-South Expressway (PLUS) southbound near Rawang early this morning.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar said the deceased was the 37-year-old driver of a bonded lorry who was trapped inside the vehicle.

“The man was pronounced dead by a Ministry of Health medical officer at the scene before being handed over to the police for further action,” he said in a statement.

Ahmad Mukhlis said his department received an emergency call at 5.12 am, and fire engines from the Bukit Sentosa and Rawang fire and rescue stations arrived at the scene at 5.21 am.

The rescue operation involved 16 firefighters, assisted by a Light Fire Rescue Tender and an Emergency Response Motorcycle from the Bukit Sentosa station, as well as a Fire Rescue Tender from the Rawang station.

Meanwhile, Hulu Selangor district police chief Supt Ibrahim Husin said the incident occurred when the bus, travelling from Alor Setar to Kuala Lumpur and being driven in the left lane, hit the back of the trailer, causing the heavy vehicle to skid into the right lane.

“This caused the lorry travelling in the left lane to attempt to avoid the bus before crashing into the rear of the trailer, which was obstructing the middle and right lanes,” he said in a statement.

He said the express bus, driven by a 39-year-old man, was carrying 22 passengers and one relief driver.

“The bus driver, trailer driver, lorry attendant and five bus passengers sustained minor injuries and were taken to Sungai Buloh Hospital for further treatment. Passengers who were uninjured were transported to the Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) using a replacement bus,” he said.

The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

-- BERNAMA