ALOR STAR: A 54-year-old man was killed while 12 others were injured when a van they were travelling in crashed into a concrete pole at Batu 10, Kota Sarang Semut this morning.
In the 3am incident, the group, comprising two family members from Johor, were heading to Pendang from Alor Star when the driver lost control of the vehicle, crashed into the pole and landed in a drain.
Kota Setar police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Rozi Jidin said the deceased, Shafie Wahab from Kampung Sedili Kecil, Kota Tinggi, Johor was pronounced dead while receiving treatment at the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital.
He said all the 12 passengers in the van sustained minor injuries.
The injured are; Nor Khusaini Mad, 30, Suriati Faidi, 38, Mohamad Shahzuan Shafie, 17, Nur Suhana Shafie, 14, Mohamad Shahril Shafie, 13, and Nur Suhaila Shafie, six, from Kampung Sedili Kecil, Kota Tinggi.
The other six are Abdul Shukor Ahamad, 49, Zainab Kasim, 47, Habsah Abd Shukor, 27, Siti Haisah Abd Shukor, 23, Mohamad Shaharuddin Abd Malek, 23, and Nur Aisyah Fathiha Mohamad Taufik, 4, from Flat Impian Emas Taman Impian Emas, Skudai, Johor.
“The driver was believed to have lost control of the vehicle. It skidded and slammed into the pole. All of the victims were rushed to the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital for treatment,” said Rozi.
He said the case is being investigated under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless driving.