LORRY DIRECTOR DEATHS, THREE ACCIDENT INJURIES IN PLUS

IPOH, MALAYSIA — A 24-year-old lorry driver was killed and three others were injured in a serious traffic accident involving three heavy goods vehicles on the North–South Expressway (PLUS) near Tanjung Malim on Tuesday afternoon.

The crash occurred at approximately 3.55pm at Kilometre 378 northbound, according to fire and rescue officials. Emergency responders from the Perak Fire and Rescue Department were dispatched after receiving a distress call just before 4pm.

Fire department operations chief Sabarodzie Nor Ahmad said that upon arrival, crews found the collision involved three lorries — an Isuzu truck carrying rice, a Volvo trailer transporting steel coils, and a Nissan UD lorry laden with used goods.

The driver of the rice-laden Isuzu truck, aged 24, was trapped in the cab of his vehicle. Rescue personnel applied the Systematic Approach for Victim Extrication and Rescue (SAVER) concept and used hydraulic rescue tools to free him from the wreckage. Despite their efforts, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene by Health Ministry personnel.

Three other men involved in the crash sustained injuries. One was a 64-year-old man also in the Isuzu lorry, while the other two were drivers of the other heavy vehicles — a 49-year-old man driving the Volvo trailer and the driver of the Nissan UD lorry. All injured victims were transferred into the care of Health Ministry personnel for further medical treatment.

Responding crews included around 15 personnel supported by two Fire Rescue Tenders (FRT) and two Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) units. Firefighters brought the situation under control by around 5pm, and operations concluded shortly before 6pm.

The accident caused significant traffic disruption on the busy northbound stretch. According to PLUS Malaysia Berhad, all northbound lanes were initially blocked, causing delays for motorists. Traffic was brought to a standstill for several kilometres before authorities began reopening lanes as clearance work progressed. At one point, the right lane was reopened, while the left and middle lanes remained closed to facilitate recovery operations.

Police and highway officials continue to investigate the exact cause of the collision. Preliminary assessments have not immediately revealed whether speeding, mechanical failure or driver error contributed to the crash, but investigators are gathering evidence from the scene and witness accounts.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about road safety and heavy vehicle collisions on major Malaysian highways, where mixed traffic patterns and high speeds can make highway travel particularly hazardous for both commercial drivers and other road users. Authorities have urged drivers to remain cautious, obey speed limits and maintain safe distances when driving heavy vehicles, especially on expressways with high traffic volumes.