Two individuals tragically lost their lives, while another sustained severe injuries, in a devastating collision between a rented car and a five-tonne lorry trailer in the Papar district of Sabah in the early hours of Friday, December 29th. The incident occurred at KM45 Jalan Kimanis-Keningau at approximately 1am.
The Papar police chief, Supt Kamaruddin Ambo Sakka, disclosed that the 33-year-old driver of the car and a 32-year-old front seat passenger succumbed to their injuries at the scene of the accident. The car was en route from the state capital to the interior Keningau district, while the lorry was descending a hill in the opposite direction.
Supt Kamaruddin stated, “It was believed the driver of the car lost control of the vehicle before it veered into the opposing lane and crashed into the lorry.”
He further added, “Due to the impact of the collision, the driver and front seat passenger were killed on the spot.”
The female passenger in the back seat was urgently transported to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further medical attention, according to Supt Kamaruddin.
Thankfully, the three individuals traveling in the lorry, including a one-year-old child, the 31-year-old driver, and his 35-year-old assistant, escaped unharmed.
The police are currently conducting investigations under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death by reckless or dangerous driving, as per Supt Kamaruddin’s announcement.
