LAHAD DATU: Two men were killed when the four wheel vehicle they were travelling in collided with an express bus at Simpang Kampung Jeroco, Km 21, Lahad Datu-Sandakan Road yesterday.
The Isuzu Bighorn and express bus at the scene of the collision at Km 21, Lahad Datu-Sandakan Road.
District police chief ACP Hamzah Ahmad said the victims were identified as Bajad bin Salapan, 51, driver of an Isuzu Bighorn, and a 21-year-old passenger, Mohamad Zairoel Haq Sapri.
Both of them were killed instantly in the accident which occurred about 2.50am. One of them was trapped inside the vehicle and his body had to be extricated by Fire and Rescue Department personnel from Lahad Datu.
Hamzah said based on initial police investigation, the Isuzu Bighorn was heading towards Sandakan from Lahad Datu while the bus was heading the opposite way from Kota Kinabalu to Semporna when the collision occurred.
“The impact of the collision killed the driver and passenger of the Isuzu Bighorn instantly while three of 37 passengers on the express bus sustained minor injuries,” Hamzah said.
The bodies were taken to the Lahad Datu hospital for a post-mortem while the injured passengers received outpatient treatment.
Hamzah said the case would be investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.