Four family members killed in car-oil tanker collision

7

TRAGIC: Firemen extricating the bodies from the wreckage.

MIRI: All four family members in a Perodua Viva were killed when it swerved into the path of an oncoming oil tanker near Kampong Angus, Bekenu along Miri Bintulu coastal road.

The dead who come from Kuching were Sarbini Senen, 25, from Kampong Buntal, his younger brother Mohamad Syafiq, 17, brother-in-law Nazri Sanawi, 18, of Kampong Tanjung Belipat, Bekenu and stepson Mohd Iqmal Alif, nine years old.

Miri District police chief, ACP Mun Kok Keong when contacted yesterday said three died on-the-spot while Mohd Iqmal died at Bekenu Clinic around 1.50pm.

The accident occurred around 1pm when the Perodua Viva driven by Sarbini went out of control and swerved into the path of an oncoming oil tanker.

Sarbini, married only two months ago, was returning home from Miri City where he collected photo albums containing his wedding pictures. He was heading towards Kampong Tanjung Belipat when the accident occurred.

The impact crushed their vehicle, killing all except the nine-year-old passenger, who was still alive with life threatening internal injuries.

An ambulance from Bekenu clinic rushed to the scene but Mohd Iqmal died at the clinic shortly after.

A fire-and-rescue team from Miri extricated the bodies of the three deceased which were sent to Miri General Hospital.

The shell-shocked driver of the oil tanker, Ngindang Melina, 42, escaped unhurt.

Police are still investigating the cause of the accident which shocked the local community and road users passing by.

Family members who learnt of the accident rushed to the scene and broke down after seeing the crumpled Viva and the lifeless bodies of their loved ones.

The tanker which ended up in a roadside drain was still at the scene at press time to facilitate police investigation into the worst road accident in Miri Division this year.