JOHOR BAHRU (CNA) – A collision between a car and a lorry in the Malaysian state of Johor on Monday resulted in the tragic loss of two Singaporean women and one Singapore permanent resident.
Fortunately, both drivers of the vehicles survived the incident.
A fire engine and five firefighters were deployed to the scene of the highway crash on Monday afternoon. A photo taken by Johor rescue authorities showed the wreckage of a car with its roof torn open.
In a statement issued to members of the media, Kota Tinggi police chief Hussin Zamora confirmed that a Singapore-registered Honda Freed MPV was heading from the district of Kluang to the town of Bandar Tenggara in Kota Tinggi when it collided with a lorry in oncoming traffic.
“The accident happened when the Singapore Honda Freed was overtaking a vehicle in front of it but could not avoid the lorry coming from the opposite direction and the two vehicles collided head-on,” he said.
Mr Hussin added that the two Singaporean women killed were aged 56 and 61. The third fatality, a Malaysian woman who was a Singapore permanent resident, was also 61.
The Johor Fire and Rescue Department identified the injured drivers as a 59-year-old Singaporean man and a 49-year-old Malaysian man.
Mr Hussin said they were taken to Kota Tinggi Hospital and Kluang Hospital respectively for medical treatment.
“After the victims’ families have identified the bodies of the loved ones who were killed, they will be released to their families as quickly as possible,” said Mr Hussin.
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Tuesday said it has been rendering consular assistance and support to the families of the Singaporeans involved in the accident, through the Consulate-General in Johor.
“MFA extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families,” it said.
