KUANTAN: A Road Transport Department (RTD) enforcement officer was injured when a lorry crashed into him while conducting a special operation at KM 194 of the East Coast Expressway Phase 1 near the Gambang Rest and Recreational (R&R) area here yesterday.
The lorry driver had earlier crashed into a parked Ford Ranger which belonged to the department before it swerved and hit the victim in the 5pm incident.
Kuantan police chief Assistant Commissioner Wan Mohd Zahari Wan Busu said the victim was part of an operation codenamed Op Khas Perdagangan to inspect vehicles travelling along the stretch.
"Investigations revealed the victim was on duty at the left side of the road and was diverting traffic towards the Gambang rest area. Suddenly, a lorry travelling from Kuantan towards Kuala Lumpur is believed to have lost control and crashed into the department's four-wheel-drive vehicle before hitting the victim.
"The victim suffered injuries to his head, neck and left hand. He was rushed to the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital for treatment," he said in a statement today.
Wan Mohd Zahari said the 57-year-old lorry driver escaped unhurt and investigations revealed the driver has seven outstanding summonses
He said police had conducted a urine test and recorded the lorry driver's statement before releasing him on police bail.
Wan Mohd Zahari said the case is being investigated under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for careless and inconsiderate driving.