BUKIT MERTAJAM: A motorcyclist and his female pillion rider died in a fatal crash with a car, which was driven by a 16-year-old, at Km1.9 of the Penang Bridge near here early this morning.
Seberang Prai Tengah district police chief Assistant Commissioner Tan Cheng San said the 2.30am incident involved three vehicles — a motorcycle, a car and a lorry.
"The motorcyclist and his pillion rider, in their early 20s, died at the scene due to severe injuries. The pair are believed to be on their way home after having a meal at Bayan Lepas.
"The teen driver escaped with minor injuries while the lorry driver escaped unhurt," he said.
Tan said the initial investigation revealed the crash happened when a car heading towards the mainland from the island is believed to have rear-ended a lorry, causing it to lose control.
He said the car then crashed into the motorcycle, causing the motorcyclist and the pillion rider to be thrown off the machine and succumb to their injuries at the scene.
The remains have been taken to the Seberang Jaya Hospital for post-mortem.
"We have detained the car driver and have remanded him for a day to assist in the investigation.
"We have taken his blood sample for further tests to determine whether he is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol," he added.
The teen driver, who is still schooling, is believed to have driven his mother's car. He was returning home in Bukit Mertajam after meeting a friend on the island.
Police urged those who witnessed the incident or have any information to contact the investigating officer, Inspector Muhammad Sufi Abd Razak, at 013-4774542 or 04-5382222 or any of the nearest police stations to assist in the case investigation.
The case is probed under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.