Teluk Intan, Malaysia — A tragic accident involving a Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) convoy resulted in the deaths of nine officers and left several others injured on Tuesday. Investigations have confirmed that the victims suffered catastrophic injuries due to a collision with a lorry loaded with gravel.
Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin, the Perak Police Chief, reported that post-mortem examinations conducted at Teluk Intan Hospital revealed the cause of death for all nine individuals was multiple traumas inflicted during the crash. The incident occurred around 8:51 a.m. on the Chikus–Sungai Lampam road when the gravel lorry veered into oncoming traffic, striking a truck that was part of a convoy returning from a duty related to the Chitra Pournami celebration.
The FRU truck was carrying 18 personnel, with nine tragically losing their lives and at least nine others sustaining injuries, several of which were serious. This convoy, consisting of seven vehicles, had just fulfilled its obligations before the accident.
In the aftermath of the collision, police initiated a detailed investigation under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. Datuk Noor Hisam emphasized the collaborative efforts of various agencies, including the Road Transport Department and the Air Accident Investigation Bureau, in determining the factors leading to the accident.
A Special Investigation Committee will be established by the Royal Malaysia Police to comply with standard operating procedures whenever a tragic incident results in loss of life or property damage. This committee aims to thoroughly analyze the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Authorities plan to interview all relevant witnesses, including the surviving FRU personnel, to gather necessary testimonies that will aid in the investigation. “This information will be crucial in piecing together exactly what happened,” Noor Hisam noted.
Additionally, ACP Dr. Bakri Zainal Abidin, the district police chief for Hilir Perak, announced that the owner of the lorry company involved will be summoned for questioning. The police are committed to a comprehensive investigation, scrutinizing all aspects, including potential human error, vehicle-related issues, and environmental factors that may have contributed to the incident.
Key agencies, including the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, have already begun assessing the accident from multiple perspectives. Dr. Bakri highlighted the importance of these investigations and their potential to uncover vital insights into the collision.
As the community mourns the loss of the fallen officers, authorities remain determined to uncover the full truth behind this tragic incident and prevent similar occurrences in the future.