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World No. 1 Badminton Player Kento Momota Injured And Driver Killed In Accident On MEX

Three others were injured in the accident.

Cover image via Reuters & Selangor Fire and Rescue Department/Malay Mail

A van carrying World No. 1 badminton player Kento Momota and three others crashed into a 30-tonne lorry along the Maju Expressway (MEX) this morning, 13 January

Current world champion Japanese badminton player Kento Momota.

Image via Reuters

The accident took place along KM13.7 of the MEX highway.

Authorities were notified of the incident at 4.57am and reached the scene at 5.15am this morning.

Malay Mail reported that the other passengers were Japanese nationals Hirayama Yu and Marimoto Akifumi, and British badminton player William Thomas.

The driver died at the scene, while three others were injured during the accident

The driver was identified as 24-year-old N Bavan, according to Selangor Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) director Norazam Khamis.

The four shuttlers were immediately sent to Putrajaya Hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

The Star reported that 26-year-old Momota is currently in stable condition, with a broken nose, face injuries, and stitches on his lips.  

Physiotherapist Yu Hirayama also injured his face and right leg, while assistant coach Akifumi Marimoto sustained a broken arm. 

Momota, who is the current world champion, had just won the Malaysian Masters 2020 last night

According to Norazam, the van was heading to Putrajaya, on their way to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). 

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