A mechanic was killed after being hit by a lorry while assisting in changing a punctured tyre on a trailer at Kilometre 119.5 of the East Coast Expressway 1 (LPT1) westbound on Monday.
In the incident, which occurred at around noon, the 48-year-old victim from Taman Bukit Mentakab, Mentakab, was pronounced dead at the scene due to severe injuries.
Mohd Nasyim Bahron said two lorry drivers, aged 35 and 36, escaped unharmed in the crash.
According to initial investigations, the CAMC trailer had stopped at the emergency lane after its rear left tyre suffered a puncture.
“The victim was inspecting the tyre at the middle right section of the lorry to replace the damaged rear tyre when the incident happened.
“A Hino lorry driven by a 36-year-old man travelling in the same direction sideswiped the trailer before crashing into the victim, who was on the road inspecting the tyre, and later veered to the left,” he said in a statement.
The fatal accident once again highlights the dangers faced by roadside workers and mechanics, especially along busy highways where visibility and reaction time can become major risks.
Mohd Nasyim added that the Hino lorry driver had been detained to assist investigations, while a urine screening test conducted on the suspect returned negative for drugs.
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, and further investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the accident.
