SARIKEI: The accident along the Sarikei-Sibu Pan Borneo Highway that claimed eight lives and left two injured yesterday (Nov 21) occurred after a Perodua Alza MPV fled from an inspection by a police patrol car.
Acting Sarikei police chief, Superintendent Aswandy Anis, said in a statement that the Perodua Alza, driven by a local with seven Indonesian passengers, had entered the opposite lane at the Simpang Bulat diversion.
He said that when the Perodua Alza, which was being chased by the police patrol car, reached the Sungai Nyelong Bridge of the Pan Borneo Highway, it collided with an oncoming Toyota Hilux with two occupants.
"As a result of the collision, the driver and passengers of the Perodua Alza were confirmed to have died at the scene by the medical officers from Hospital Sarikei, while the driver and passenger of the Hilux sustained minor injuries," he said.
The incident happened at KM448 alon Jalan Betong/Sarikei/Meradong at 2.50pm.
The bodies of all the victims were taken to Hospital Sarikei for post-mortem and the case is being investigated under Sec 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
Police are appealing to anyone with information about the incident to contact traffic investigating officer Inspector Ahmad Mustaqim Idris at 010-4427240 or any nearby police station.
He advised road users to obey traffic laws to ensure their own safety as well as other road users.