Three killed in horror crash
TRAGEDY AT DAWN: Van carrying factory workers crashes into car which swerved into its lane
KUALA KANGSAR: THREE people were killed and five others injured, including three seriously, in a horrific accident here early yesterday.
The dead have been identified as factory van driver Rosmainiezal Mat Ani, 37, and his passengers, Syed Idris Syed Nordin, 42, and Aminah Kamaruddin, 53.
Syed Idris was Rosmainiezal's friend while Aminah was a garment factory worker.
The three seriously injured, Masthura Ali, 47, Sarina Ibrahim, 35, and Norzakiah Awang, 48, were also passengers in the van ferrying factory workers.
Masthura and Sarina are being treated at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRBP) in Ipoh.
The two who sustained minor injuries were the driver of a Toyota Camry, who is being treated at the Grik Hospital and a motorcyclist. Their identities could not be immediately ascertained.
Kuala Kangsar district police chief Assistant Commissioner Abdul Gaffar Mohamad said the accident happened about 6.20am when the van was on its way to Tasek, Ipoh, to drop off the factory workers.
He said when the van approched Km70 Jalan Ipoh-Grik near Sauk, it collided with the car, which was believed to have swerved into its lane from the opposite direction.
The motorcyclist, who could not brake in time, crashed into the car.
"Three were killed instantly while three others sustained serious injuries. They were rushed to Kuala Kangsar Hospital for treatment while several others were transferred elsewhere," said Abdul Ghaffar.
"We have yet to detain anyone to assist in our investigation," he said, adding that the case was being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
Meanwhile, a motorist who declined to be identified, said he tried to help the victims inside the van while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.
"It was heart-wrenching. Some of the victims were crying out in pain. The driver of the van, who was pinned to his seat, had stopped moving."
When met at HRBP here, Sarina said she was sleeping when the accident occurred.
"When I woke up, I found myself on the hospital bed at the Kuala Kangar Hospital before being transferred here.
"I was told we were involved in an accident and my friend (Masthura) was flung out of the van."
Sarina broke her right hand and left leg.
Masthura's husband, Ismail Husin, 65, said his wife was in critical condition and had yet to regain consciousness.
"We were told by doctors that she broke both legs, collarbone as well as her skull, besides other injuries," he said.
Ismail said he was informed of the accident at 10am and rushed here after being told Masthura had been transferred from Kuala Kangsar Hospital.
"My wife has been working in the garment factory for more than 20 years
.
"It was a daily affair for her to leave the house early in the morning to work in Ipoh," said the self-employed.
Aminah's daughter-in-law, Sakinah Zulaikha Othman, 21, said the former had repeatedly told her only grandson, Khairil Mustaqim Azrul, 15 months, that she would leave him the night before the accident.
"I heard my mother-in-law telling my son she would leave him. We were staying together and she really loved Khairil," Sakinah said, adding that Aminah had become extremely quiet lately.
She said Aminah had told her she would not leave the factory as her friends, Masthura and Norzakiah, were also working there.
The bodies of the three victims were claimed by family members and buried in their respective villages.
