Tragic Early Morning Collision at Jalan KJD Claims Life of Lorry Attendant

KUALA LUMPUR – A somber atmosphere enveloped KM19 of Jalan KJD in the early hours of Tuesday morning following a violent collision between two heavy vehicles that claimed the life of a young man and left two others traumatized and injured.

The accident, which underscores the persistent dangers faced by long-haul logistics workers on Sarawak’s highways, involved a fertilizer-laden lorry and a tanker. The force of the impact was so severe that it nearly obliterated the cabin of the following vehicle, trapping its occupants in a mass of twisted metal and spilled cargo.

The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) operations center was alerted to the crisis at 12:04 AM. Recognizing the severity of a “trapped victims” report, a specialized team from the Bintangor Fire and Rescue Station was dispatched, navigating the 32-kilometer stretch to the site under the cover of darkness.

Upon arrival, the rescue team, led by Operations Commander Bakar Ujang, found a chaotic scene. The driver of the fertilizer lorry, 30-year-old Samuel Numpang, had managed a miraculous self-extrication despite sustaining injuries. However, his two colleagues—both attendants—remained pinned deep within the wreckage of the cabin.

The rescue operation was described by officials as “highly technical and arduous.” Because the front of the lorry had crumpled directly into the rear of the tanker, there was virtually no clearance for hydraulic cutters or spreaders. In a desperate bid to create a “life-saving gap,” the Bomba team had to enlist the help of a secondary heavy vehicle to physically tow and reposition the wreckage. This maneuver was critical to ensuring that rescuers could reach the victims without causing further structural collapse of the cabin.

The first of the trapped men to be freed was 22-year-old Maxwell Bernard Empam. Found in a state of semi-consciousness and suffering from the physical shock of the impact, he was immediately attended to by a medical team from the Ministry of Health (MOH) before being rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.

The outcome for the second attendant, however, was tragic. 30-year-old Stanley Ali was found unresponsive amidst the debris. Despite the rapid response of the emergency teams, medical personnel on-site were forced to pronounce him dead at the scene. His body was later extricated with solemn care and handed over to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) for a post-mortem examination.

The stretch of Jalan KJD where the accident occurred is a vital artery for the transport of industrial and agricultural goods in Sarawak. Police have cordoned off the area for a forensic reconstruction of the accident to determine whether the collision was caused by mechanical failure, poor visibility, or driver fatigue.

This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in night-time freight operations. Local authorities often urge heavy vehicle operators to adhere to strict rest schedules and ensure that vehicle lighting and braking systems are maintained to the highest standards, especially when navigating the challenging routes of central Sarawak.

The condition of the injured driver and the surviving attendant remains under monitoring at the hospital, while the local community mourns the loss of a young life in the line of duty.