A family of three, including a 12-year-old girl, were killed in a road accident in Kuala Lumpur after an Immigration Department lorry reportedly ran a red light and crashed into them.
The accident happened at the Jalan Sultan Ismail intersection at around 1:00 AM today (19 August). The victims were a 53-year-old man and his two daughters, aged 25 and 12, who died at the scene.
Immigration lorry was on its way to pick up detainees before the accident
According to Berita Harian, the deceased’s 55-year-old wife suffered injuries to her head, right hand and both legs. She was later rushed to the red zone at Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) for treatment.
Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa said the accident involved an empty Isuzu lorry belonging to the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Immigration Department, a Proton Saga, an Inokom Matrix and four pedestrians.
Initial investigations found that the 43-year-old Immigration lorry driver was travelling from the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Office towards Chow Kit to pick up detainees following an operation against undocumented migrants in the area.
“The lorry is believed to have entered the intersection when the traffic light for its lane was red, with its beacon lights and siren activated,” he said.
All three drivers involved escaped uninjured
At the same time, a 50-year-old man was driving a Proton Saga straight through the intersection after his traffic light turned green.
Mohd Zamzuri said the Saga driver was believed to have been unable to avoid the Immigration lorry, causing the two vehicles to collide in the middle of the intersection.
“The impact caused the Immigration lorry to lose control and veer off before hitting four pedestrians, all of whom were from the same family. The lorry also crashed into an Inokom Matrix driven by a 38-year-old man, which was stopped at the traffic light intersection,” he added.
He added that all three drivers involved in the accident escaped uninjured.
Police have since detained the 43-year-old Immigration lorry driver and the 50-year-old Proton Saga driver to assist with the investigation. Both drivers also tested negative for alcohol and drugs following breathalyser tests and preliminary urine screenings.
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death by reckless or dangerous driving.
Anwar Ibrahim calls for appropriate action
Following the tragic accident, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed an immediate and thorough investigation and called for appropriate action to be taken if any wrongdoing is found.
“My condolences to those who lost their lives in this tragic incident. I have instructed the Immigration Department to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation. If there was any negligence or breach of the law, appropriate action must be taken without compromise,” he said in a post.
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