Two elderly passengers killed in fatal pick-up truck crash

SIMUNJAN: Two elderly individuals were killed when a pick-up truck overturned along Jalan Kampung Pelaie yesterday (Oct 21).

In the incident, which occurred around 2.40 pm, the pick-up truck was carrying 10 people, including the driver.

Five managed to escape unharmed, while three others sustained minor injuries. Two passengers, however, were trapped under the overturned vehicle.

Passers-by later rushed the injured victims to the nearest health clinic for treatment.

A spokesman for the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said that firefighters from Simunjan and Serian stations were dispatched to the scene after receiving a distress call.

When they arrived at the accident scene they found an elderly man and woman pinned beneath the pick-up, and extrication efforts were carried out using specialised rescue tools.

The first victim was extricated at 5 pm, followed by the second, five minutes later.

The victims, identified as 63-year-old Awang Pupon and 83-year-old Blayau Datu, were pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

Police later sent the bodies to the hospital.

Extrication works being carried out by firefighters along Jalan Kampung Pelaie.