BENTONG: A trailer driver and his assistant were killed when their vehicle turned turtle after crashing through the metal barrier at KM43 of the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway last night.
Driver Izani Hasri Azmi, 44, from Marang, Terengganu and co-driver Yusoff Mat Zain, 63, from Kuantan were killed on the spot in the 9.10pm mishap.
State Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department chief Superintendent Kamarulzaman Jusoh said Izani Hasri, who was driving in the slow lane, was believed to have lost control of the wheel, causing the trailer to skid towards the left side of the highway.
"The trailer crashed into the metal barrier on the left side of the dual-carriageway before the vehicle turned turtle. Both the victims died at the scene," he said, adding the trailer laden with rocks was heading towards Bentong from Kuala Lumpur.
Kamarulzaman said the accident did not involve other vehicles and the duo's remains were taken to the Bentong Hospital for post-mortem.
He urged witnesses of the fatal accident to step forward and assist investigations.
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
Meanwhile, a Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said 11 firemen led by Bentong fire station chief Mohd Zamri Abd Ghani were deployed to the scene.
He said the bodies were pinned in the wrecked vehicle forcing firemen to use rescue tools to extricate their remains before the operation ended at 11pm.