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Four people, including a 1-year-old baby, were killed after the Honda City they were in was crushed beneath an overturned lorry on the Kuala Lumpur–Karak Expressway
The crash occurred at KM43 of the KLK Expressway near Bukit Tinggi in Pahang, according to the New Straits Times.
The tragic incident, which occurred around 4.25pm yesterday, 14 June, has since drawn scrutiny over a suspected loss of control on a downhill bend, the lorry driver's drug test results, and a record of prior traffic summonses.
The lorry was carrying industrial dust materials, though the exact cargo is still being verified.
The crash
The lorry was heading from Kuala Lumpur towards Kuantan when it lost control while descending a curved downhill stretch, according to reports.
The vehicle overturned onto its left side before sliding into the left lane and crushing the Honda City carrying four occupants.
All four victims, a 55-year-old driver, two women, and a 1-year-old child, died at the scene.
Images and videos circulating online show the lorry resting across the divider, with the car fully trapped underneath.
Rescue operation
According to Pahang Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Mohd Salahuddin Isa, firefighters from Bentong were deployed shortly after the alert at 4.35pm.
Rescue crews spent about two hours lifting the lorry using heavy machinery before retrieving the victims. The operation ended around 6.30pm.
"An excavator was deployed to lift the lorry and extricate the victims from the car," Mohd Salahuddin said.
The lorry reportedly caught fire during recovery work after the extraction was completed.
The driver tested positive for drugs
The 40-year-old lorry driver survived with head and hip injuries and was taken to hospital.
Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman later confirmed with The Star that he tested positive for methamphetamine in a urine screening.
He also has 15 outstanding traffic summonses and has been arrested after receiving treatment.
Investigation
Yahaya said blood samples were taken for toxicology analysis as part of ongoing investigations.
The case is being probed under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless or dangerous driving causing death.
Early findings indicate the lorry may have lost control while negotiating a downhill bend before overturning into the path of the car.
