SUNGAI PETANI: Two motorcyclists were killed and at least four others seriously injured when a lorry mowed them down while they were seeking shelter from the rain at Km92.8 of the North-South Expressway near Bedong today.
Kuala Muda police chief Assistant Commissioner Adzli Abu Shah there were nine motorcycles under the overhead bridge when the 2.40pm incident happened.
He said the dead victims have been identified as Mohd Amirul Ismail, 28, from Anak Bukit and Muhammad Khairul Azwan Maula Hashim, 31, from Kuala Kedah.
"Both victims died on the spot from severe head injuries while four other victims are receiving treatment at the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital.
"Three of the motorcyclists escaped with minor injuries," he said in a statement.
Adzli said based on initial investigations, the victims were seeking shelter under the overhead bridge during heavy rainfall.
"All the motorcyclists were sitting on their machines when suddenly a lorry which was travelling on the left lane of the expressway mowed them down, killing two of them instantly," he said.
Adzli added that the 28-year-old lorry driver from Bachok, Kelantan, and his attendant, also aged 28, from Ajil, Terengganu, escaped unhurt.
Following the incident, police arrested the lorry driver.
"Initial urine tests on the driver found him negative for the influence of drugs or alcohol. We will apply for a remand order against the lorry driver tomorrow for further investigations," he said.
Two videos of three victims pleading for help minutes after the incident have gone viral on social media.
At least two of the victims were flung into a monsoon drain nearby while another victim was seen lying unconscious at the crash site.
The bodies of the two dead have been sent to the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital for a post-mortem examination.