03-07-2025
Four killed in Lahad Datu and Kota Kinabalu mishaps
Published on: Thursday, July 03, 2025
Published on: Thu, Jul 03, 2025
By: Azmie Lim, Jimmy Goh Text Size: The Kota Kinabalu accident scene. Inset: The deceased. LAHAD DATU: Three men, including the driver of an Isuzu Dmax, were killed after the four-wheel-drive (4WD) they were travelling in collided with a trailer at Km 26 along Jalan Lahad Datu-Sandakan, Tuesday night. Lahad Datu Fire and Rescue Station Chief Sumsoa Rashid said the victims have been identified as the driver Mohd Azizi, 28, and front passenger Mohd Rasman Ahmat Kechil, 28, as well as Muhammad Zulkhairi Ismail, 29, who was seated in the back. 'All the victims were trapped in the vehicle and were extricated by the firefighters before being confirmed dead at the scene by medical personnel. 'The trailer driver, 61, sustained minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to Lahad Datu Hospital for further treatment,' he said. According to Sumsoa, a distress call regarding the accident was received via MERS999 at 8.52pm, and a team of 12 firefighters, along with machinery and the Emergency Services Assistance Unit, was immediately dispatched to the scene, located 30km from the station. He said all the deceased were handed over to the police for further action, and the operation concluded at 12.40am after confirming there were no further hazards at the scene. Lahad Datu Deputy Police Chief Supt Jimmy Panyau said the three victims, who were friends, were on their way to Sandakan when the accident occurred. 'Preliminary investigations found that the driver of the 4WD is believed to have lost control and veered into the opposite lane before colliding with the trailer,' he said. 'Due to the impact of the collision, both the trailer and the 4WD plunged into a ravine on the left side of the road, with the vehicle carrying the victims also crashing into an oil palm tree,' he said, adding the case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. He urged witnesses to come forward and assist in the investigation by contacting traffic investigation officer Insp. Mohamad Humaidi Harun at 089-881255 or by visiting the Lahad Datu district police headquarters. Meanwhile, in KOTA KINABALU, a 67-year-old died after his Toyota Land Cruiser crashed into an electricity pole in Luyang on Wednesday, causing a power outage in the area. The victim, identified as Yong Ket Kong, was driving along Jalan Kolam when he lost control of the vehicle at 12.50pm. The accident happened opposite Wong Kwok Restaurant, near Lorong 5. Witnesses claimed the man's car swerved before crashing into an electricity pole and landed in a drain. The impact caused electrical cables to loosen, resulting in a power disruption affecting parts of Luyang. Medical officers who arrived at the scene pronounced the man dead on the spot. Emergency responders, including personnel from the police and the Fire and Rescue Department, quickly arrived to secure the accident site and manage traffic flow. Sabah Electricity technicians were also deployed to the location to assess the damage to the electrical infrastructure and restore power to affected areas. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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