KOTA KINABALU: A big biker and the driver of a sport utility vehicle (SUV) were killed when they collided on the Pan Borneo highway in Papar, about 40min from here, on Sunday (Oct 27).
It was learnt a sudden U-turn by the SUV driver had led to the 8.50am accident.
The driver was identified as Lidinus Jusim @ John Jusim Majanun, 75, while the motorcyclist Muhamad Eqzhamsyah Jinol, 34.
Papar OCPD Supt Kamaruddin Ambo Sakka said the motorcyclist who was returning from the Borneo Island International Big Bike Festival (BIIBBF) and the car driver were killed on the spot.
The motorcyclist, who was with a convoy at that time, was heading to Keningau from the event, he said.
Supt Kamaruddin said initial investigations show that the motorcyclist was riding in the overtaking lane when a car from the opposite direction made a sudden U-turn, leading to them colliding with each other.
“Both victims sustained serious bodily injuries and they were pronounced dead by medical officials at the scene,” said Supt Kamaruddin.
The bodies were then sent to the Hospital Forensics Unit for identification and post-mortem work, he said.
The case is being investigated for reckless driving under the Road Transport Act 1987, he added.
Earlier, the state Fire and Rescue Department said it received a distress call regarding the accident at Jalan Lama Kampung Purak Papar at around 9.20am.
A team of 10 personnel from the Papar Fire Station were deployed to the location, where they found the two victims.
Firemen were involved in retrieving the victims before handing them over to the cops for further action and to clear up hazardous elements on site.
Operations at the scene ended at 10.32am.
