TRAGIC: The first victim extricated from the van around 3.49pm.
BINTULU: The driver of a palm oil tanker involved in an accident with a van at Km3 Tatau-Bintulu road last Sunday which killed the van driver and his two passengers is still in remand.
Investigating officer Inspector Zulkipli Ishak when contacted yesterday said the oil tanker driver, who escaped unhurt, was needed to assist in investigation.
He said the around 2pm incident occurred when the empty tanker was on its way to Balingian from Bintulu to refill up with palm oil, while the van was travelling from Tatau to Bintulu.
He said the victims in their 20s were killed on-the-spot.
Fire and Rescue Department personnel took almost two hours to extricate their bodies from the wreckage of their vehicle.
It was believed the van driver, 22, lost control of his vehicle in the heavy rain.
“He died and so did a passenger, 24, and a second unidentified passenger. The bodies of all three deceased are in Bintulu Hospital mortuary,” said Zulkipli.