ISKANDAR PUTERI: A lorry driver who was driving against the flow of traffic along the Linkedua-Tanjung Kupang highway here almost claimed the lives of two motorists.
The incident saw a five-tonne lorry cruising along the stretch before it crashed into a Mercedes Benz E250 and a Nissan Almera.
A Johor Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said the incident took place before the Tanjung Kupang Rest and Recreation (R&R) area.
He said his department received an emergency call at 4.31pm today.
He said a Fire and Rescue tender from the Larkin station with 13 personnel led by Senior Fire Officer II Syuhaidy Fazly Yahya was dispatched to the scene of the incident.
"The driver of the Mercedes suffered minor injuries and was rescued by members of the public.
"The victim, a 44-year-old man, was sent by ambulance for treatment while the lorry driver, a 41-year-old man, did not suffer any injuries," he said.
Meanwhile, he said the driver of the Nissan Almera, a 46-year-old woman escaped unhurt.
"The operation ended at 5.18pm today," he said in a statement.
Iskandar Puteri police chief Assistant Commissioner Rahmat Ariffin, in a statement, said the lorry driver, detained to assist the investigation, was found to be intoxicated.
He said the probe is being conducted under Section 44 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
"Preliminary investigations showed that the accident occurred when the lorry driver was on his way from Kulai to Tanjung Pelepas Port (PTP).
"At the Gelang Patah Rest and Treatment (R&R) area heading south, he missed the turning to PTP.
"The lorry driver then drove against the flow (of traffic) to re-enter the PTP crossing before he crashed into the two cars," he said.
"The lorry driver was arrested and found to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident," he said.