Loke pledges full probe into fatal crash near Kluang

 

Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said an investigation would be conducted into allegations of cloned tyres being used on the lorry involved in the accident. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Transport minister Loke Siew Fook has pledged that a thorough investigation will be held into a fatal crash that claimed five lives on the North-South Expressway near Kluang yesterday.

“This is a heartbreaking tragedy, especially with the festive season approaching,” he said, adding that the company would be investigated and audited, following procedure, and strict action taken if there are any violations.

A couple and their two-year-old daughter were among five people killed in an accident involving four vehicles, a Volvo lorry, a Toyota Camry, a Proton X50 and a Honda Stepwagon Spada.

It is believed to have occurred when the front tyre of a northbound lorry travelling from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur burst, causing the vehicle to collide with a Toyota Camry in the same lane.

The lorry then skidded into the opposite lane and crashed into a Proton X50 and a Honda Stepwagon Spada.

Loke said officials had yet to determine whether the tyres used on the lorry were cloned.

“A thorough investigation must be conducted to determine the exact cause of the burst tyre. We have to make sure whether it was due to a technical issue, poor maintenance or the use of non-compliant tyres,” he said.

Loke said enforcement and audit measures on transport companies would be further tightened to prevent similar incidents from recurring. - FMT