What was supposed to be a exciting road trip for a family in their newly purchased car turned into tragedy after the sport utility vehicle (SUV) crashed into a lorry at Kampung Baru Pinang Tunggal near Sungai Petani, Kedah yesterday (June 7).
A total of six individuals were killed, including a baby. A three-year-old girl, the only survivor, is currently fighting for her life at the hospital.
Veered into opposite lane
According to dashcam footage which has been circulating online, it showed the Proton X50 entering the opposite lane before colliding head-on with the 10-tonne tipper lorry.
Six family members perished in the crash and they were identified as Proton X50 driver Ahmad Shafiq Ahmad Shukri, Nora Mhd Husin, Jamaliah Sannusi, Ahmad Fahim Ahmad Shukri, a 7-year-old boy and a 6-month-old baby.
Tikam Batu Fire and Rescue Station chief Fauzi Shuaib said firefighters from the Tikam Batu and Sungai Petani stations rushed to the scene after receiving an emergency call at 3.46pm.
All six victims were pronounced dead, while a three-year-old girl was rushed to the hospital after sustaining severe injuries, reported Berita Harian.
As for the lorry driver, he was unhurt in the accident.
SUV was bought on same day as accident
According to one of the victim’s brother-in-law, Ibrahim Ghazali, he said the SUV had just been collected from a sales centre in Juru, Penang, at about 11am on the same day.
“My brother-in-law took photos of the new SUV and later stopped by my house to pick up my son who wanted to join him in visiting the grave of a family member in Merbok as he was excited to sit in the new car.
“But everything happened so suddenly, we never saw it coming.”
Unsettled fines
Meanwhile, Kedah police chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah said investigations revealed the lorry driver was neither on drugs or drunk, and was driving within the speed limit at the time of the accident.
However, the lorry driver was found to have seven traffic summonses, four of which were unsettled. As such, police will apply for a remand order at the Sungai Petani court to detain him to assist with investigations.
Azli also urged the public to not speculate on the tragedy amid unverified claims that have been swirling online.
Some people told me that the lorry driver was drunk and also brought up the driver’s race. Here, I would like to inform that the victims are Malay and the lorry driver is also a Malay, so such actions are highly irresponsible.
“We will also be sending the SUV to the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom) for further inspection given the fact that it was a new car,” he added.
The case is currently being probed under Section 4(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
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