By Brad Rantayy
BINTULU, May 29: Three people were killed and seven others seriously injured, after the vehicle they were travelling in crashed into a trailer lorry along the Bintulu-Miri Coastal road nearby Samalaju on Wednesday afternoon (May 29).
The three deceased who perished on the spot, all women, and the remaining seven injured including two children are believed to be related to each other. They were travelling in a Toyota Fortuner.
Meanwhile, the lorry driver and his assistant were unharmed.
The crash occurred at KM42 of the Bintulu-Miri coastal road at approximately 1.40pm. According to state Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Supt Alexson Naga Chabu, the SUV vehicle suddenly went out of controlled before it skidded and veered into the opposite lane and craah into the lorry. The SUV was on its way to Miri from Bintulu.
According to the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) State Operations Centre (PGO), a team of nine firefighters from Bintulu fire station rushed to the scene after responding to an alert on the mishap at 1.45pm.
Those killed have been identified as Gensa Unggau, 36, Nuai Bakar, 23, and Lengidi Koling, 57.
Meanwhile those injured were Fhiymina Alicia Cendu Ngindang, 23; Billy Beti Jelaing, 5; Tera Bow, 56; Jelaing Bakar, 35; Ngindang Bau, 61; one-year-old Esther, and the seventh victim, whose identity has yet to be confirmed.
The deceased and injured victims were taken to Bintulu Hospital.
Meanwhile, Alexson said the actual cause of the incident has yet to be determined as investigations are underway.
The case is being investigated under Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
He also advised road users to be extra careful while returning to their respective villages and hometowns for this coming Hari Gawai Dayak celebration.
“Be more, extra alert while on the road,” he said. — DayakDaily
