KULAI: The accident which led to the fiery death of two road users at KM45.7 of the North-South Expressway (south-bound), near Sedenak last night was caused by a chain reaction from a lorry changing lanes to avoid congestion.
Kulai police chief Superintendent Tok Beng Yeow said the 7.47pm accident involved three cars and two lorries.
He said investigations into the chain of events showed that the crash was suspected to have taken place when a Renault-type lorry from Air Hitam heading to Johor Baru was passing through the area.
"The 38-year-old male lorry driver was driving on the left lane because of congestion.
"A Proton Preve car driven by a 43-year-old man heading in the same direction failed to avoid the vehicle and crashed into the rear of the lorry.
"Meanwhile, the Proton Wira, also coming from the same direction, tried to avoid the initial accident but ended up crashing into the Proton Preve.
A fourth unidentified vehicle also coming from the same direction then crashed into the Proton Wira. This was followed by a Isuzu truck which also crashed into the Proton Wira and the unidentified fourth vehicle.
"The crash sparked the conflagration. The road stretch was also not lighted up," Tök said in a statement here today.
He added that the multiple crash also saw the Proton Wira passenger die in the fire at the scene.
He said the unidentified fourth vehicle also had a fatality but the victim's identity has yet to be ascertained.
"Both victims suffered severe injuries to their body and head because of the fire and died at the scene of the accident.
"So far, no arrest has been made yet. All vehicles involved will be taken to the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Center (Puspakom) Senai.
"The authorities are still trying to trace the chassis number and engine number of the fourth vehicle," he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 41 of the Road Transport Act 1987.
Earlier, Renggam Fire and Rescue Station Operations Commander Mohd Fauzi Nor said the Proton Wira passenger killed has been identified as Nurul Nazihah Kamalul Arifin, 28, who was found pinned and burned in the vehicle.
He said the lorry was 70 per cent burnt, but its driver and attendant, identified as S. Suresh, 38, and Mok You Jian, 22, escaped unhurt.
The Proton Wira and unidentified car were 90 per cent burnt in the crash, he said, adding that the drivers of both vehicles escaped unhurt.
A video, believed to be on the crash, showing a man wailing because he could not save his wife, believed to have been burnt in the incident, had gone viral. - Bernama