WATCH: Lorry Driver Remanded For Fatal Crash And Fire Involving Five Students Along NSE
Last night, a car carrying five passengers was involved in an collision with two trailers at Km246 on the North-South Expressway northbound near Kuala Kangsar. The crash proved fatal for all five of them.
A spokesman for the Perak Fire and Rescue Department reported that they received a distress call shortly after 12.50 a.m.
The Kuala Kangsar fire and rescue station dispatched personnel to the area instantly. Teams from the Meru Raya, Kamunting, and Ipoh stations aided them.
In a Honda City, the bunch was traveling home from a holiday in Ipoh. The car came to a halt behind a trailer loaded with mosaic tiles.
Unfortunately, a second 20-tonne trailer carrying iron rods failed to stop in time, crashing into the automobile and dragging it until it collided with the first trailer, causing the car to burst into flames, killing all of the victims instantly.
The car and the first trailer were both 90% burned, but the second trailer was unaffected by the flame.
The three men in the trailers were also left uninjured.
Among the victims are Muhammad Nasrun Aidol Munir Akbar, 22 from Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor, who was also the driver, Ahmad Naim Najmi Ahmad Hafizan, 21 from Cukai, Terengganu, who was in the front passenger seat, Iqbal Hasnun Halimi, 23 from Senai, Johor, Muhammad Nabil Haikal Muhammad Fariz, 19 from Batu Caves, Selangor and Ahmad Akmal Ahmad Mokhlis, 20 from Parit Buntar.
The remains of the deceased have been taken to the Kuala Kangsar Hospital for an autopsy.
The students, according to USAS Vice-Chancellor Nordin Kardi, are among the brightest in the university.
He stated that until the last rites were performed, the institution will assist the families by providing housing and other essentials.
Meanwhile, as part of the investigation, the 28-year-old trailer lorry driver has been remanded for four days.
The trailer driver from Jitra, Kedah, had 22 traffic summonses issued against him, including for speeding, according to Perak police head Datuk Mior Faridalathrash Wahid.
Urine and alcohol tests on the driver came back negative.
The case is currently being examined for causing death by reckless or hazardous driving under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.