KOTA KINABALU: A motorcyclist was killed while his woman pillion rider was injured after the motorcycle they were riding on hit a a one-tone lorry along the old Tuaran Road, here yesterday.
The victim, identified as Basil Omar, in his 30s, succumbed to his injury at the scene around 10.30am.
The pillion rider, identified as Hernawati Mohd, also in her 30s, was warded at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for serious injuries.
It is believed that the couple were on their way to Menggatal from Sepanggar when their motorcycle hit the lorry laden with gas cylinders.
It was said the motorcyclist was overtaking a couple of vehicles but hit the lorry when he tried to overtake it.
The victim, however, lost control of his machine and crashed into the left side of the lorry.
Basil was thrown a couple of meters away and died at the scene while Hernawati was immediately taken to hospital in an ambulance by a Sabah Civil Defence Department (JPAM).
Meanwhile, City Traffic and Public Order chief DSP Peter Anak Umbuas, when contacted yesterday, confirm the incident and said police were still carrying out further investigation.
It is believed initial police investigation revealed that the victims were heading for Menggatal from the Sepanggar traffic light when the rider lost control of the motorbike and knocked the lorry.
“The victim was thrown a couple of meters away and died at the scene while his pillion rider is currently warded at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where her condition is said to be stable,” he said yesterday.
Umbuas added police had detained the 26-year-old lorry driver to assist in their investigation under Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
He also urged eyewitnesses to come forward to assist police in their investigation.