We don’t often believe that our actions can have consequences. Sadly, these consequences often impact those around us as well.
A trailer driver was under the influence of drugs when he drove into a mid-constructed flyover. The ensuing crash killed two and injured three.
At 5.58pm yesterday (3rd March), the Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department Operations Centre received an emergency call. A lorry carrying an excavator had rammed into a highway flyover in Desa Tun Razak near Terminal Bersepadu Selatan. The flyover is part of the Sungai Besi-Ulu Klang Elevated Expressway (SUKE) project. The crash had caused the scaffolding to collapse, crushing four vehicles. One of the vehicles, a factory van, had five workers trapped inside.
Zakiah Yaakop (51) was contacted by her husband, Kamarulzaman Awang while she was trapped in the rubble. “She said she was not badly injured, but she had difficulties moving,” he stated. “I was very worried but tried to keep her calm by telling her the Fire and Rescue Department were working on rescuing them.” The group was finally extracted by 9.30pm, however, two women were pronounced dead on site. The three survivors were seriously wounded; the driver suffered fractures to his left shoulder, inflamed lungs and internal bleeding. The other two passengers had injuries to their legs.
Nor Hayati Abdullah (42) had been one of the victims crushed by the accident. Her sister, Maslinawati Abdullah was devastated to receive a call from the police informing her of her younger sister’s death. Maslinawati had been following the accident on the news and getting periodic updates from her sister’s supervisor, who had been the first to inform her of the situation. “The last time we met was on Sunday, at our kampung. I feel so lost… like I can’t believe the news,” she said, after identifying the body at the hospital. “She looked like she was sleeping… Insya-Allah, we will all pray for her.” Maslinawati has yet to inform their ill mother, Hasmah Sohor (77) of the incident. According to China Press, Nor Hayati was also tested positive with Covid-19.
Police confirmed the driver of the trailer had been under the influence of drugs. According to Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigations and Enforcement Department chief Assistant Commissioner Zulkefly Yahya, they had conducted a urine test after the incident. The 40-year-old driver’s test returned positive for methamphetamine (meth). The arrested driver will be remanded under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act and the case is being investigated under Section 44(1) of the Road Transport Act (driving under the influence).
This tragic accident stole lives and left destroyed others. The saddest part is that it could have been avoided. We pray for the victims, for those who have lost their family members and for those who are recovering.
Sources: China Press, Harian Metro, Malay Mail, Astro Awani
