KANGAR: A retired soldier on a holiday trip was killed after the tourist van he was in veered off and crashed into a tree along the Kangar-Alor Star trunk road near Kampung Permatang Pauh here today (Sept 14).
In the 4.30am accident, Mohd Arshad Hanapiah, 73, from Alor Star, died on the spot due to severe head and body injuries.
Kangar police chief Assistant Commissioner Yusharifuddin Mohd Yusop said the van was on its way from Alor Star to Krabi, Thailand.
"At the time of the incident, it was raining. The van was driven by a 29-year-old, carrying seven passengers, including the victim, who was seated at the back of the van.
"The van was heading towards Kangar and then to the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex at Padang Besar before proceeding to Krabi, Thailand.
"However, as the driver approached the location, the van skidded to the left side of the road and collided with a tree by the roadside. The impact killed the victim on the spot," he said in a statement today (Sept 14).
He said the driver and six other passengers sustained minor injuries.
The body was taken to Tuanku Fauziah Hospital for a post-mortem.
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.