A 24-year-old Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam student was killed in a road accident on Tuesday morning while travelling to begin his practical training at the Tawau District Education Office (PPD).
Mazlan Tuwo was pronounced dead at the scene following the crash along Jalan Tawau-Bombalai near Kampung Haji Matahir at about 7.30am, according to Tawau Acting District Police Chief Superintendent Wilynton Enchana Watt.
Police said the victim was riding a Yamaha 135LC motorcycle from Merotai to the PPD when it was involved in a collision with a Mitsubishi Triton driven by a 32-year-old female civil servant.
The woman was reportedly travelling from Kampung Sungai Imam to the Felda Umas Health Clinic when she is believed to have lost control of her four-wheel-drive vehicle upon reaching the accident location. The vehicle allegedly veered into the opposite lane before crashing into the victim’s motorcycle.
The force of the impact sent the Mitsubishi Triton skidding onto the road shoulder before plunging into a drain and overturning. Meanwhile, Mazlan and his motorcycle were thrown about five metres onto the roadside facing Tawau town.
“The victim was found lying beside his motorcycle in bushes near the accident site before a medical officer confirmed his death at the scene,” Wilynton said.
The driver of the four-wheel-drive vehicle sustained serious injuries, including fractures to her shoulder and right arm, and was taken to Tawau Hospital for further treatment.
Police are investigating the cause of the fatal crash.
