Singaporean woman, 66, among 7 killed in multi-vehicle accident on ...
ALOR GAJAH: Seven people including a Singaporean woman and five members of a family were killed in a multi-vehicle collision in Melaka’s stretch of the North-South Expressway on Monday (Dec 23) night.
The crash, which injured 33 others, took place around 8.30pm near the Ayer Keroh Rest and Service Area.
It involved a lorry, a tour bus travelling south with 27 passengers and three northbound vehicles – a Toyota Estima multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), a Nissan trailer and a Perodua Bezza sedan, according to Alor Gajah police chief Ashari Abu Samah.
The front right tyre of the lorry, driven by a 31-year-old man, had dislodged and landed in the middle lane, he said.
“The tour bus then hit the detached tyre, causing the driver to lose control and swerve into the opposite lane,” he told the media.
The bus then crashed into the Perodua Bezza, the Nissan trailer driven by a 27-year-old man and the Toyota Estima MPV that was carrying a family of eight, reported the New Straits Times.
The police identified the Singaporean woman as 66-year-old Lamrah Asid Ali on Tuesday (Dec 24). She was a passenger on the tour bus whose driver, 56-year-old Noorisnien Khamid from Johor, was also killed.
CNA understands that those injured include Singaporeans.
In response to CNA's queries, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said it has been rendering consular assistance and support to affected Singaporeans and the family of the deceased, through the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur and Consulate-General in Johor Bahru.
"MFA extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family," a spokesperson said.
"We would also like to thank the Royal Malaysia Police and the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia for their assistance.”
Five of those who died were in the Toyota Estima: The 32-year-old driver Khairul Ikhwan Mazupi, his 32-year-old wife Fadzlenna Ramli, their two-year-old son Muhammad Umar and Fadzlenna’s parents, 69-year-old Fauziah Jaafar and 66-year-old Ramli Ab Wahab.
The family of eight was on their way back from Malacca, Sinar Harian reported. Khairul’s two other children, aged four and seven, survived and are currently receiving treatment at Melaka Hospital. The remaining passenger of the MPV is believed to be Khairul’s nephew. His identity has yet to be confirmed and he is reportedly injured.
Police chief Ashari said the deceased persons were all taken to Melaka Hospital’s Forensic Department for post-mortem, the New Straits Times reported.
The 33 injured victims were taken to Melaka Hospital, Alor Gajah Hospital and Hospital Pantai Ayer Keroh.
All vehicles involved in the accident have been detained and will be sent to the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom) for inspection.
“The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987,” Ashari said.
The accident reportedly disrupted traffic on the North-South Expressway on Monday night. Northbound congestion extended for up to 10km and slow-moving southbound traffic stretched for 6km, according to Plus Malaysia, Malaysia’s expressway operator.
The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has been ordered to conduct a detailed investigation into the accident.
“JPJ will continue to implement strict and integrated enforcement actions against heavy commercial vehicles to ensure compliance at all times,” Transport Minister Anthony Loke said in a statement on Tuesday, as quoted by Sinar Harian.
He confirmed that the director of the JPJ’s enforcement division has been instructed to take appropriate follow-up action against the lorry and bus companies involved.
