24-12-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR)Â A catastrophic chain-reaction crash involving six vehicles on Malaysia’s North-South Expressway has left seven people dead, including five members of the same family, in what officials are calling one of the most devastating motorway incidents this year.
The tragedy unfolded Monday afternoon at the 204-kilometre marker of the PLUS Highway when a loose lorry tyre triggered a devastating sequence of events. Among the deceased were Khairul Izwan Mazupi, 32, his wife Fadzlenna Ramli, 32, their toddler Muhammad Umar Khairul Ikhwan, 2, and Fadzlenna’s father Ramli Ab Wahab, 66. The tour bus driver, Noorisnien Khamid, 56, and an unidentified passenger were also killed in the crash.
According to Alor Gajah Police Chief Superintendent Ashari Abu Samah, the incident began when a tyre detached from a southbound lorry, operated by a 31-year-old driver. The wayward tyre, landing in the middle lane, was struck by a tour bus carrying 27 passengers, causing the driver to lose control and veer across the central reservation into oncoming traffic.
Sekurang-kurangnya enam maut dalam kemalangan membabitkan tiga kenderaan di Kilometer 204 Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan (PLUS) arah utara, berdekatan kawasan Rehat dan Rawat (R&R) Ayer Keroh, malam ini.
“Mangsa yang maut ialah pemandu bas persiaran serta lima penumpang di dalam MPV,… pic.twitter.com/snL7wHEsYS
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“The bus then collided with a northbound trailer, operated by a 27-year-old driver who was travelling with a teenage passenger,” Supt Ashari explained. “The impact forced the trailer off course, where it struck a roadside barrier before colliding with both a sedan and the family’s MPV.”
Two surviving children from the MPV, aged four and seven, are currently receiving treatment at Hospital Melaka. Nur Sofea Humaira Khairul Ikhwan, 4, has been classified as requiring intermediate care, whilst her elder brother Muhammad Uwais Al-Qarni Khairul Ikhwan, 7, remains in critical condition.
Melaka Fire and Rescue Department Director Mohd Pisar Aziz confirmed that emergency services responded immediately to the scene, where they found the trailer carrying bales of bundled clothing, alongside the severely damaged tour bus and MPV.
Local authorities have launched a full investigation into the incident under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which covers causing death by reckless or dangerous driving.
