Investigators seize CCTV clip of SUKE tragedy that killed 2

 

Two people were killed and three injured when their van was pinned under the scaffolding that collapsed on Wednesday evening.

KUALA LUMPUR: A video recording of the traffic monitoring system at the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) is shedding some light into the investigation of the crash which killed two people at the Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Elevated Expressway (SUKE) project site.

Investigators have sourced the footage from one of the two closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance cameras installed at the overhead pedestrian bridge linking the two enclaves of Desa Tun Razak.

The CCTV is part of the Integrated Transport Information System, a comprehensive traffic information system under Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

From the six-minute footage, FMT understands that the probe team was able to view the excavator, which was being transported on the trailer, crashing into the scaffolding at 5.54pm on Wednesday.

The metal structure collapsed and hit a van ferrying workers heading towards Bandar Tasik Selatan. Two women, both Malaysians, died while three others were injured.

Images from the video recording of the incident on the SUKE project site.

“The recording shows the entire episode of the crash caused by the excavator transported by a yellow truck driven on the wet middle lane of the three-lane MRR2,” said the insider.

It is understood that the Department of Occupational, Safety and Health (DOSH) visited the crash site yesterday and measured the height of the steel frame parallel to the pedestrian link.

“This is to check whether the metal structure complies with the 5m clearance regulation,” said the source.

It is learned that investigators from the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) and DOSH are scrutinising the video recording to look into possible negligence by the container haulier company.

Yesterday, Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigations and Enforcement Department chief Zulkefly Yahya said the 40-year-old truck driver was tested positive for methamphetamine.

However, an industry observer said today the investigation should not only focus on the truck driver.

“An important question is how did the trailer pass through the 5m height limit at other locations but failed to navigate through the SUKE construction site.

“Authorities such as LLM, Construction Industry Development Board, Land Public Transport Agency, Road Transport Department and DOSH should ascertain if safety codes were followed while transporting such a big item.”

He said with massive construction taking place along many road stretches in the Klang Valley, the authorities should also investigate if the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 had been breached by the contractors.

The incident was the second in the last five months occurring in the same stretch of the highway project, with the first being less than 1km away.

On Sept 19, a woman cheated death when a parapet wall slab fell from the elevated construction of the expressway and hit her vehicle.

The main contractor and sub-contractor of the project were fined a total of RM180,000 in court for failing to ensure safety at the construction site. - FMT