A 50-year-old woman selling fruit at a roadside stall in Sandakan, Sabah, was killed after being struck by a trailer in a crash involving two lorries and a car on Wednesday morning.
Ernawati Lajaruddin was seriously injured in the incident, which occurred at around 8.30am along Jalan Labuk, Batu 27, and was pronounced dead while receiving treatment at Ulu Dusun Health Clinic.
Another woman, identified as Rosimah Nari, 31, was reportedly seriously injured after becoming trapped in a 10-tonne cargo lorry.
Three other victims, including a three-year-old child, escaped the incident unharmed.
Sandakan district police chief Assistant Commissioner George Abd Rakman said the accident involved two lorries and a car.
He said Ernawati, who was selling fruit by the roadside, was taken to Ulu Dusun Health Clinic after sustaining severe injuries. However, she succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment.
“The actual cause of the accident is still under investigation, and the case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987,” he said in a statement.
Authorities also worked to clear scattered timber from the road to allow traffic to resume.
Meanwhile, Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station chief Jimmy Lagung said seven firefighters were dispatched to the scene, located about 43km away.
The team provided initial treatment to the seriously injured victims and extricated those trapped in the wreckage before they were taken to Ulu Dusun Health Clinic and Beluran Hospital for further treatment.
The operation ended at 9.34am after firefighters confirmed there were no further hazards at the scene.
