LAHAD DATU: Four persons were killed, one seriously hurt while two others suffered injuries on the hands and legs after a head-on collision between their Nissan Sunny car and a Toyota Hilux at Km 24 Lahad Datu-Sandakan Road here yesterday.
District police chief Superintendent Shamsudin Mat said among the dead were the Nissan Sunny driver, Abdul Halie Bin Esdari, 56, and his passengers Nor Mohd Sapiullah, 41, Kempoh Asiri, 38, and Sajid Haji Asin, 30, who were killed on the spot, while another passenger in his 30 was seriously hurt.
He said the Toyota Hilux driver and his passenger aged between 19 and 40, suffered minor injuries in the accident which occurred around 8am.
“The injured and the bodies of the victims were taken to the Lahad Datu Hospital,” he said when contacted yesterday.
“We are made to understand that the occupants of the Nissan Sunny were on the way to Lahad Datu from Sandakan to celebrate Hari Raya at their uncle’s house,” said Shamsudin.
Initial police investigation showed that the Nissan Sunny was trying to overtake a bus before it collided head-on with the Toyota Hilux.
Shamsudin added the case would be investigated under Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
He reminded the public to drive carefully, especially during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
Meanwhile, district acting Fire and Rescue Department operation officer Abu Bakar bin Taraji said his department was informed of the accident at 8.19am.
“We sent five fire and rescue personnel to the scene led by myself and arrived around 8.35pm.
“The victims’ bodies which were trapped in their vehicle were freed by the Fire and Rescue Department personnel by 9am,” he added.