Three killed, three injured in crash on PLUS Highway near Tapah

New Straits Times

5 days ago

IPOH: Three senior citizens were killed and three others injured in a collision involving two vehicles at Kilometre 328.9 of the southbound PLUS Highway near the Tapah–Bidor stretch today.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (operations) Sabarozi Nor Ahmad said the department received a distress call at 11.19am and deployed a team of seven firefighters to the scene.
The deceased were identified as Chong Ong, 77; Teh Kim Kai, 76; and Tan Ah Tak, 70.
"The crash involved a Toyota Vios and a Proton X50. One man in the Toyota Vios was injured, while five men were in the Proton X50 — two were injured and three died at the scene," he said in a statement.
The injured were handed over to medical personnel, while the deceased were confirmed dead at the scene and referred to the police for further action.
Tapah district police chief Superintendent Johari Yahya said initial investigations found that the Toyota Vios had rammed into the rear of the Proton X50, which was in the right lane.
"The impact caused the Toyota Vios to veer off to the grassy area on the left side of the highway, while the Proton X50 spun and crashed into the left-side guardrail.
"Three passengers in the Proton X50 died at the scene. Two of them were thrown from the vehicle due to the crash," he said.
The driver and front passenger of the Proton X50 were injured and sent to Tapah Hospital for treatment.
"The Vios driver will be brought to the Tapah magistrate's court tomorrow for a remand application," he added.
Police are urging witnesses to contact Traffic Investigating Officer Inspector Mohd Faizan Ahmad @ Mohammed Razikin at 05-4011222 or 013-2087919.
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless or dangerous driving causing death.