By DayakDaily Team
SARIKEI, Nov 22: The horrific accident that claimed eight lives on the Pan Borneo Highway yesterday was triggered by an attempt to evade a police inspection.
In a news report by TVS, Sarikei District Police chief Superintendent Aswandy Anis stated that the crash occurred at 2.50pm when a Perodua Alza, carrying a local driver and seven Indonesian nationals, attempted to flee from a police patrol car.
“The vehicle veered into the opposite lane starting from the roundabout detour. Upon reaching the Sungai Nyelong Bridge on the Pan Borneo Highway, the Perodua Alza collided head-on with a Hilux,” he explained in a media statement.
Before the collision, Aswandy said police had sounded the warning siren to signal the driver to stop the vehicle.
“However, the driver ignored the siren, accelerated, and crashed into the Hilux, which was carrying a man and a woman,” he added.
The crash resulted in the deaths of the Perodua Alza’s driver, a local man from Sibu, and all seven Indonesian nationals aboard. The victims, aged between 16 and 53, died at the scene.
The Hilux driver and a passenger sustained minor injuries.
The victims’ remains were transported to Sarikei Hospital for post-mortem examinations.
“The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 and remains under further investigation,” he said.
Aswandy urged anyone with information about the incident to contact Traffic Investigation Officer Inspector Ahmad Mustaqim Idris at 010-4427240 or visit the nearest police station. — DayakDaily
