Eight die in multi-vehicle crash

JEMPOL: Eight people were killed in a horrific accident involving a trailer and three cars.

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Six of the victims, believed to be from a family and travelling in a Proton Exora with the number plate WUN 5658, were trapped inside when the car burst into flames.

All six were burnt beyond recognition. Their identities have yet to be ascertained.

Firemen took several hours to extricate their charred remains.

Jempol OCPD Supt Noorzainy Mohd Noor said a husband and wife, who were travelling in a Perodua MyVi, also died on the spot.

The collision occurred along the accident prone Bahau-Keratong stretch near here at about 2.20pm yesterday.

The couple were identified as Osman Mohamed Taip, 31, and Rosniza Othman.

Both were flung out of the car from the impact of the crash.

Their three-year-old son Muhammad Alifthaqif Osman, was seriously injured and warded at the Kuala Pilah Hospital.

The driver of a third car – a Toyota Vios, aged 34, and the trailer driver were not injured.

“We have detained the trailer driver, aged 44, from Triang, to assist in investigations.

“Initial urine tests on him came back negative for drug abuse,” he said, adding that the trailer, which was also partly burnt, did not have any outstanding traffic summonses.

Supt Noorzainy said initial investigations showed the trailer, laden with oil palm and heading towards Bahau, had attempted to overtake a motorcycle when the driver lost control of the 22-wheeler.

“The lorry veered to the right and rammed head-on into the Proton Exora from the opposite lane.

“Moments earlier, the driver of the Perodua MyVi tried to avoid the lorry but hit a Toyota Vios,” he said.

Supt Noorzainy said the case was being investigated for causing death by reckless or dangerous driving.