SERIAN: It will be a bleak Christmas for the family of Susin Tatak and her 20-year-old daughter, who were among three people killed in an accident involving a van and a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle this morning.
Susin, 49, and her daughter, Olovia Natasa Dismas, died on the spot during the 7.15am mishap at KM16 of the Serian-Tebedu route near Bukit Binong near here.
The third victim killed in the accident was Susin’s relative identified as Henry Gek, 51, who was driver of the Nissan Vannette van.
Four other family members in the van, aged between 12 and 44, were seriously injured and have been admitted to the Serian Hospital here. Their identities could not be immediately obtained at press time.
It was learnt that the three victims and four others were heading to Kuching from Kampung Temong Bengan near here to shop for Christmas.
Serian district police chief Deputy Superintendent Aswandy Anis said their van collided head-on with the 4WD, which was coming from Sri Aman.
“Initial investigation showed the driver of the 4WD was trying to overtake a car before colliding head-on with the van.
“The impact of the incident was so strong that the driver and front passenger of the van as well as the 28-year-old driver of 4WD were pinned to their seats.
“Henry, Susin and Olovia died on the spot.
“The four other passengers in the van and the driver of the 4WD sustained severe injuries on their head, body and legs,” he said.
The case, said Aswandy, had been classified under Section 41(1) Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death by reckless driving.