KOTA KINABALU: A child was killed in a five-car mishap that was believed to have occurred due to potholes in Kinabatangan district.
According to Kinabatangan OCPD Supt Dzulbaharin Ismail, the accident was triggered when a driver attempted to avoid potholes on the Sandakan – Lahad Datu road, near Kg Paris Satu on Saturday morning.
Dzulbaharin Ismail stated that two lorries had collided as the drivers tried to steer clear of potholes and uneven roads. Two other vehicles—a sedan and a three-tonne lorry—had to brake suddenly to avoid crashing into the two lorries. Unfortunately, an express bus traveling in the same direction failed to stop in time and rammed into the sedan, causing it to crash into the three-tonne truck.
The sedan driver suffered minor injuries, but the impact of the crash resulted in the death of a girl. The 29 passengers and driver on the express bus were unharmed.
Following the accident, the bus driver was detained for reckless driving, and a remand application would be made. Sabah Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Hamsa Isnurdini said that the department was alerted to the accident at 11.19am and sent a team to respond.
Hamsa Isnurdini stated that six people, including two adults and four children aged five to 10, were injured and taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, the youngest child in the group lost her life while undergoing emergency treatment at Lahad Datu Hospital.
