Kota Kinabalu: Three Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) personnel attached to the Navy Region 2 headquarters (Mawilla 2) in Sandakan were killed while another was severely injured in a crash at KM83, Jalan Ranau-Tamparuli, near the Pekan Nabalu water treatment Plant in Kg Tomis at 12.55pm, Tuesday.
The deceased were identified as Leading Seaman Maslim Abdul Rahim, 35, from Semporna, Able Seaman Mohamad Firdaus Mat Izan, 26, from Kluang, Johor and Able Seaman Muhammad Arif Idris, 26, from Melaka while the injured was Ordinary Seaman Vincent M Orel, 24, from Sarawak.
Kota Belud Police Chief Supt Mohd Zaidi Abdullah said police are still investigating whether the accident was due to a vehicle problem or some other issues.
He said all the victims were travelling in a KD Sri Sandakan truck belong to RMN while being escorted by another RMN vehicle from the back and a police MPV in the front.
“As soon as they arrived at a downhill curb, the driver is believed to have lost control and crashed on the left shoulder of the road. As a result, three RMN personnel including the driver were pronounced dead while a passenger was severely injured,” he said. According to Mohd Zaidi, he could not comment on the vehicle involved as it had first to be sent to the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom).
“The case is being investigated under Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act (APJ) 1987,” he said.
Ranau Fire and Rescue Chief, Ridwan Mohd Taib said they received an emergency call at 1.03 pm and despatched one fire engine, an Emergency Medical Rescue Service vehicle (EMRS) and a utility vehicle to the scene along with seven personnel.
He noted that the accident occurred when the victims were on their way to the Sepanggar navy base from Sandakan.
“The team arrived at 1.37pm at the scene which is 27.9km away and discovered the wreck and unrecognisable navy truck by the roadside. Passers-by helped pull out the deceased from the vehicle and were sent to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital by a police truck.
“The injured personnel was given early treatment before being taken to the Ranau Hospital,” he said.
Ridwan said since the truck was carrying ammunition, the rescue team conducted further inspections at the location to ensure it was safe. The operation ended at 3.20pm.
Mawilla 2 said all were heading from the Sandakan RMN Base to the Kota Kinabalu RMN Base in Teluk Sepanggar to carry out their official duties
“The RMN’s three-tonne lorry went out of control and skidded onto the shoulder of the road,” the statement said.
