TEMERLOH: A traffic policeman was assaulted while a passerby sustained light injuries following a brawl which stemmed from dissatisfaction over a fatal accident at Km127 of Jalan Kuala Lumpur-Kuantan near here yesterday.
The 37-year-old policeman, attached to the Temerloh district police headquarters, had gone to assist at the scene when he was allegedly attacked by a mob who also hurled abusive words.
The 42-year-old passerby was attacked by several men believed to be the accident victim's family members and friends for recording the incident where the policeman was assaulted.
His Proton Saga car windows were smashed, leaving him with cuts to his right eyebrow.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Mazlan Hassan said the series of incidents unfolded following an accident involving a motorcycle and a Perodua Myvi around 5.30pm.
He said the 20-year-old motorcyclist, a scrap metal worker, sustained severe head injuries and died at the scene while the 75-year-old Myvi driver escaped unhurt.
"Investigations revealed the car driver travelling from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur had allegedly made an illegal turn (U-turn) on the double line when the motorcyclist travelling on the opposite lane had crashed into him.
"Some time later, several individuals believed to be the family members and friends of the motorcyclist attacked the Myvi driver. The man sustained injuries to his face and his car front and the driver's side window was damaged," he said in a statement.
Mazlan said police were later alerted about a fight which broke out at the spot of the accident, where a group of men had attacked a 42-year-old passerby following a misunderstanding.
"The victim, a road user during the accident, was attacked by five men. He was allegedly attacked for recording a video after the accident where a group of men had assaulted a traffic policeman.
"The car driver suffered cuts to his right eyebrow and all his car windows were completely damaged," he said, adding the case is investigated under Section 148 of the Penal Code for rioting and Section 427 for committing mischief.
Meanwhile, Mazlan said a policeman with the rank of sergeant was also earlier attacked by three men at the scene but escaped unhurt.
"The uniformed policemen had gone to the scene to assist before a group of men approached him and hurled abusive words. The men attacked and pushed the policeman.
"The suspects were unhappy that the policeman had gone to the scene but did not provide any assistance to the accident victim but the truth is the policeman had already alerted the ambulance," he said, adding the case is being investigated under Section 353 of the Penal Code for using criminal force on a public servant.
Mazlan said police have detained the Myvi driver for investigations under Section 42 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 and arrested a 42-year-old suspect who is believed to be involved in the fight.