IPOH: Six motorists were injured in a nine-vehicle crash near the Simpang Pulai Toll Plaza, here, this afternoon.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (operations) Mohamadul Ehsan Mohd Zain said the 2.34pm crash involved three multi-purpose vehicles (MPV), a trailer, two 5-tonne lorries and three 3-tonne lorries.
"Six of the vehicle drivers who sustained injuries have been taken to the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB) in Ipoh for treatment, while three others escaped unhurt in the crash," he said, in a statement today.
He said firemen from the Gopeng and Simpang Pulai fire stations rushed to the scene to get those injured out safely.
"The rescue operation using special equipment took more than an hour and ended at 4.10pm," he said.
The nine vehicle pile-up was said to have damaged one of the toll booths, the boom gate and the metal structure at the Simpang Pulai Exit Toll Plaza.
It was learnt that the crash was caused by one of the lorries when its driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed into another lorry in front of him, while queueing at the toll booth.
The second lorry lunged forward from the impact and crashed into the remaining seven vehicles.
The incident had caused massive congestion on both directions of the PLUS highway near the Simpang Pulai exit.