KINABATANGAN: A tragic incident occurred on Jalan Sandakan to Lahad Datu, near Kampung Paris Satu, resulting in the death of a young girl on Saturday.
According to Hmetro, the four-year-old victim sustained severe body injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Superintendent Dzulbaharin Ismail, the Kinabatangan District Police Chief, provided details of the incident.
“Prior to the fatal accident, there was an earlier collision involving two lorries. This initial accident was caused by the drivers attempting to avoid potholes and uneven roads.
“As a result, the victim’s vehicle, a Proton Iswara, and a three-ton lorry came to a stop. Tragically, an express bus traveling in the same direction from Sandakan was unable to avoid the stationary vehicles and collided with the back of the victim’s car.
“The impact caused the victim’s vehicle to slide forward and collide with the three-ton truck,” he said.
Dzulbaharin said the driver of the Proton Iswara sustained minor injuries, while the young girl tragically lost her life.
The drivers of the lorry and the bus, as well as the bus conductor and 29 passengers, escaped without injuries, he added.
According to him, thevpolice arrested the bus driver on charges of negligent driving causing death, and a remand application will be made.
The Kinabatangan District Police Headquarters Traffic Branch (IPD) is urging any witnesses or individuals with information about the accident to come forward and assist with the investigation.
Alternatively, they can contact Traffic Investigation Officer Inspector Hamkhah Md Syukur at 014-9551030 or the Kinabatangan IPD Operations Room control center at 089-561890.
The case will be investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.