KUALA SELANGOR: The driver involved in an accident that injured four Paralympian cyclists and their head coach was charged at the Magistrate’s court here yesterday, reports The Star.
Anuar Wahab, 46, claimed trial to the charge before Magistrate Abdul Jalil Salam after it was read to him by a court interpreter.
He was charged with driving dangerously and causing an accident near KM12.5 of the Kuala Lumpur-Kuala Selangor (Latar) Highway at 10.45am on Thursday.
Originally thought to be a hit and run case, Anuar later presented himself to the police at the Kampung Baru Subang police station on Thursday.
The offence under Section 42(1) of Road Transport Act 1987 provides jail time up to five years or a fine up to RM15,000, or both.
National cycling coach Johari Nayan was training with his para cycling team of Mohd Nor Rizuan Zainal, 31, Khairul Azwan Wahab, 25, Nur Syafiq Suhaimy, 19, and Khairul Nizam Mohd Ali, 23, when a four-wheel drive rammed into them.
The victims suffered multiple injuries and were sent to Sungai Buloh Hospital for treatment.
Photos of the incident’s aftermath showing the cyclists lying on the road have been going viral on social media.
The incident has effectively decimated the national team’s plans for the Asean Para Games, reported the New Straits Times on Thursday.
Paralympians Mohd Nor Rizuan and Khairul Azwan who had represented the country at the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro last year were seen as prospects for the individual time trial gold medal in the Asean Para Games, scheduled to begin in Kuala Lumpur next week.
Nur Syafiq and his blind stoker Khairul Nizam had targeted the gold in the tandem road race, in their Asean Para Games debut.
“This driver has just destroyed us in a split second. I really can’t imagine this happening,” said Johari.
“Now we are just praying the injuries aren’t as severe and the riders can come back. Our Asean Para Games road events plans are destroyed by this.”
