IPOH: The three children who were killed in an accident on the North South Expressway (NSE) today were siblings, with the youngest being just a year old.
In the accident at KM272.5 of the NSE near Gunung Lang, here, at 2.45pm, their mother Nur Aimi Nadiah Abdul Rahim, 27, from Batu Caves, Selangor sustained severe injuries.
The deceased have been identified as Muhammad Adam Hakimi Muhammad Alhafiz, seven; Muhammad Lutfi Hakim, three and the youngest Muhammad Affan Hafiy.
District deputy police chief Superintendent Mohamad Nordin Abdullah said the accident involved a Perodua Axia in which the mother and her three children were travelling in, a lorry trailer laden with electronic items and a lorry laden with palm fruit.
"Initial investigation revealed that the incident occurred when the lorry carrying electronic items rammed into the other lorry on the left lane of the expressway.
"This prompted the two drivers to pull over on the emergency lanes. The PLUS expressway patrol unit was dispatched to the scene to control the traffic," he said.
The driver of the Perodua Axia, coming from the same direction, lost control of her car, causing it to swirl several times before crashing into the rear of one of the lorries.
"The strong impact of the collision caused the three siblings to be pinned to their seats. They were killed on the spot, while their mother suffered severe injuries," he said.
Noordin added the deceased were taken to the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital for post-mortem, while the mother is currently receiving treatment at the same hospital.
"The post-mortem will be conducted tomorrow at 3pm," he said adding that no arrest has been made in this case.
It is learnt that the Perodua Axia was a rented car, and the woman and her husband were in the process of divorce.
As of 8pm today, the family members of the victims have yet to arrive at the HRPB's Forensic Unit here.