4WD driver dies after rear-ending resurfacing lorry on Lutong Bridge

MIRI (April 7): The 38-year-old driver of a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle was killed early Tuesday morning after he rear-ended a lorry carrying out road resurfacing works on Lutong Bridge.

A Lutong fire station team was sent to the scene some 11km away after receiving a distress call at 12.08am.

The operation commander proceeded to cut open the driver’s side door using specialised rescue tools, allowing the victim to be extricated for medical personnel to attend to him.

The medical personnel later confirmed the victim had died at the scene and the body was subsequently handed over to the police for further action.

In a separate statement, Miri police chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said the case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

He said preliminary investigations at the scene found that the lorry driven by a 53-year-old man was carrying a load of tar and had stopped on Lutong Bridge.

“Upon reaching the bridge, the four-wheel-drive vehicle, driven by the victim, approached from behind and crashed into the rear of the lorry.

“The driver was pronounced dead while the lorry driver did not sustain any injury,” Mohd Farhan said in a statement.

He called on those with information related to the incident to contact traffic investigating officer Insp Nor Afifah Nordin on 019-5264640 or 085-430479, or to head to the nearest police station.

Mohd Farhan also advised road users to always drive cautiously and adhere to traffic regulations to avoid endangering other road users.