The mini van being taken out from the ditch by a crane. (File photo)
LAHAD DATU: Two men and two women were killed in an accident involving a trailer and a mini van at Km 3 Jalan Lahad Datu-Tungku yesterday.
All the four victims, comprising the mini van driver and his three passengers were heading towards Lahad Datu town from their houses at Kampung Desa Bajau while the trailer was coming from the opposite direction when the incident occurred about 5.45am.
District police chief ACP Hamzah Ahmad said the victims were identified as Eddie Luna, 46, who was the driver and his three passengers, Mohamad Jujani, 67, Hanisa Baskua, 37, and Kabdatul Alinjaman, 34.
Hamzah said initial investigation at the scene found that the trailer driver had lost control of his wheel. He said the trailer later skidded and entered the opposite lane before colliding with the oncoming mini van.
“The mini van was dragged by the trailer and ended up in the ditch while the trailer landed on the mini van. The impact of the crash trapped the mini van driver and three passengers inside their vehicle, killing them on the spot,” he said.
Hamzah added that the 58-year-old trailer driver is currently in police custody to assist investigation under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. Meanwhile, District Fire and Rescue Chief Mohd Apandi Mahmood when met at the scene, said his department received an emergency call at 5.59am.
Apandi said two fire engines and two utility vehicles with 18 personnel rushed to the scene.
He added that the first victim was freed from the mini van at 9.05am while the last victim was taken out at 9.22am. Some family members were seen crying at the scene while others went to buy some ‘sarong/kain batik’ as preparation to cover the victims when their bodies were taken out from the vehicle.
A broken leg and some bones were visible even before the trailer was removed. The door of the mini van was stained with blood and some mangled vehicle parts were scattered at the scene.
The Borneo Post reporter who was also at scene, heard the husband of one of the victims saying that his wife was going to market to buy some groceries and he never thought that yesterday was their last day together.
After the bodies were retrieved from the van, some family members were also seen collecting pieces of the victims’ remains and put them inside plastic bags.
Members of the public who were at scene also helped to calm the victims’ families. However, some were only there to take pictures and did not offer any help.