A fatal three-vehicle accident on the southbound North–South Expressway in Kuala Lumpur claimed the life of a lorry driver and left 30 others injured early Thursday morning (Feb 5). The crash, which occurred at about 5am, involved an express bus, a 10-tonne bonded lorry, and a trailer, according to Malaysian news reports.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar said emergency services received a distress call at around 5.12am. Firefighters were immediately dispatched to the scene to carry out rescue operations. The lorry driver was found trapped inside the wreckage and was extricated by rescuers, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger who was travelling in the lorry sustained fractured ribs and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The express bus involved in the collision was carrying 28 passengers, comprising 14 men, five women, seven children, and two drivers. Three male passengers suffered minor injuries, while a young girl experienced a nosebleed but remained conscious throughout the incident. One of the bus drivers, a 39-year-old local man, was trapped with injuries to his leg and was successfully freed by firefighters at around 6.05am. He also reportedly sustained serious injuries to his head and left leg.

All injured bus passengers were handed over to medical personnel for further evaluation and treatment. The trailer driver suffered neck injuries but declined hospital treatment. A total of 16 emergency personnel, supported by several fire engines and emergency response units, were deployed to manage the situation. Police investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from AsiaOne.