BENTONG: Nine vehicle pile-up including a trailer and a pickup truck at Kilometre 40 of the Kuala Lumpur-Karak highway caused massive traffic congestion this morning.
Bentong police chief Superintendent Zaiham Mohd Kahar said the 9.30am accident was believed to be caused by the trailer which suddenly went out of control and crashed.
"Based on initial investigation, the 42-year old driver was headed towards Kuantan, when he lost control of his vehicle. Upon the trailer's crash, a pile-up involving other eight vehicles took place.
"The driver of the trailer escaped with slight injuries, while the rest from the other vehicles escaped unhurt," Zaiham said in a statement this evening.
He said the case was being investigated under Section 43 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 which carries a maximum sentence of 12 months imprisonment and/or up to RM10,000 fine.
Zaiham urged eyewitnesses or the public with information on the crash to come forward and assist in the police investigation.
Meanwhile, road users and motorists travelling toward Kuantan were forced to endure more than two hours of traffic congestion, as a result of the accident.
Two out of the three lanes were blocked, while only one lane on the extreme left was passable.
The pile-up brought traffic to an almost standstill for more than 20 kilometres, before the Gombak Plaza from the MRR2 highway.
Zaiham reminded motorists to be extra cautious and alert while travelling on the nation's roads.
"Make sure you've checked your car and it is safe to travel before you start any long journey," he cautioned.
