Police: Semporna fatal crash caused by car entering opposite lane

SEMPORNA (Jan 13): The accident on Jalan Kalumpang, Semporna-Tawau here on Sunday, which claimed six lives, including that of an infant boy, was triggered when one of the three vehicles involved veered into the opposite lane.

Semporna police chief Supt Mohd Sabri Zainol said the car, driven by a 34-year-old man and carrying six passengers aged between six months and 82 years, had entered the opposite lane before colliding with a four-wheel drive vehicle and a multi-purpose vehicle.

The car driver sustained severe injuries, while five passengers died at the scene.

Another passenger died while receiving treatment at the emergency unit of Semporna Hospital.

Mohd Sabri confirmed that all the six fatalities, comprising three males and three females, were members of the same family.

“The four-wheel drive vehicle was driven by a 31-year-old man, while the MPV was driven by a 29-year-old man.

“Both were travelling from Semporna to Tawau, while the car was heading from Tawau to Semporna,” he said in a statement.

Semporna fire station chief Madzlan Sarman said those killed were three adult men, one adult woman, a young girl, and an infant boy. Their identities have yet to be confirmed.

He said the six and another the driver were travelling in a Proton Wira, which collided with an Isuzu D-Max four-wheel-drive and a Toyota Innova multi-purpose vehicle.

The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) was informed of the incident at 4.58pm, he said when contacted.

“Four people in the four-wheel-drive and another four in the MPV escaped unhurt. In total, 15 people were involved in the accident,” he said.

He added seven personnel from the Semporna fire station were deployed to assist at the scene.

“After ensuring there were no further hazards, the operation concluded at 7.16pm,” he said.

The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Semporna District Police Headquarters traffic investigation officer Insp A Hemkkumar on 012-3650021 or 089-782020.