RANAU: Three navy personnel were killed, while another was injured when the truck they were travelling in skidded and crashed at Jalan Ranau-Tamparuli near Kampung Bundu Tuhan, here, today.
The deceased were identified as LK PAP Maslim Abdul Rahim, LK 1 TNL Mohamad Firdaus Mat Izan, and LK 1 TMK Muhammad Arif Idris.
Their colleague LK II TLR Vincent M Orel, who sustained serious injuries, was taken to the Ranau Hospital for treatment.
All the navy personnel were attached to the Navy Region 2 headquarters (Mawilla 2) in Sandakan.
District Fire and Rescue Department chief Ridwan Mohd Taib said the department received a distress call at 1.03pm and despatched seven firemen to the scene.
He noted that the accident occurred when the victims were on their way to the Sepanggar navy base from Sandakan.
"Passers-by helped pull out the deceased from the vehicle. The deceased 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 using the Emergency Medical Rescue Service vehicle," he said.
Ridwan said since the truck was carrying ammunitions, the rescue team conducted further inspections at the location to ensure the area was safe while police were investigating the cause of the accident.
The operation ended at 3.20pm.
Meanwhile, police said they were investigating the cause of the crash which included vehicle problem.
District police chief Superintendant Mohd Zaidi Abdullah said Mohamad Firdaus was driving the truck and they were heading to the Sepanggar Navy base from the Naval Region 2 headquarters in Sandakan.
He said the truck was also accompanied by another Navy vehicle, which was tailing from behind, and a mobile patrol vehicle of Tuaran district police, in front.
"When the vehicles reached a downhill cornering, the Navy truck suddenly lost control and skidded to the roadside," he said.
Mohd Zaidi said the truck would be sent to Puspakom (Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre) for inspection, adding the case is being probed under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
