Police Convoy Was Rehearsing For Cycling Event Prior To The Fatal Accident In Putrajaya
Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said no very important persons (VIPs) were involved in the accident.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 21 Sep 2023, 11:44 AM
The police convoy was conducting a rehearsal for the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) international cycling event prior to the fatal accident on Persiaran Utara, Putrajaya, yesterday, 20 September
Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook revealed that while speaking to reporters yesterday, adding that the convoy did not involve any very important persons (VIPs), reported FMT.
"This was confirmed to me by (Youth and Sports Minister) Hannah Yeoh," Loke said.
The minister also said that he has ordered the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to investigate whether the lorry that rammed into 13 vehicles was overloaded.
Based on the photo Loke saw, he said the lorry "seemed quite loaded", explaining that overloading could potentially affect the brakes.
Meanwhile, the police have identified the two motorcyclists who died in the accident as Pos Malaysia employee Faris Haziq Abu Bakar and Ampang Court employee Yuswar Mohd Uyus
Putrajaya district police chief ACP A Asmadi Abdul Aziz said they were aged 25 and 39, respectively.
The victims' next-of-kin have identified their bodies at Putrajaya Hospital at 5.30pm yesterday, reported Bernama.
A total of seven individuals were injured due to the accident, and are currently receiving treatment at Putrajaya Hospital and Serdang Hospital for serious injuries and fractures.
The police also revealed that the 25-year-old lorry driver who rammed into the vehicles was transporting sand during the accident
He tested negative for drugs and did not have any prior traffic offences. He is currently detained for further investigation.
It is understood that he claimed he was unable to stop in time, which led him to crash into another lorry, seven cars, and five motorcycles.
However, A Asmadi said that the lorry driver should have had enough time to stop based on closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage.
"We don't know whether the driver was distracted or using a mobile phone. The trailer appears to be new.
"For us, he had the opportunity to stop. Other vehicles came to a halt properly when instructed by traffic officers," Bernama quoted him as saying.
The case is currently being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless driving.
