PEKAN: A lorry driver was killed after crashing his vehicle into a sinkhole which was cordoned off with plastic barriers at Km73 of Jalan Kuantan-Segamat here yesterday.
Lorry driver Muhammad Farhan Dagang, 29, succumbed to his injuries on the spot in the 8.55pm mishap.
Pekan district police chief Superintendent Mohd Zaidi Mat Zin said investigations revealed that the lorry transporting generator sets was travelling from Segamat, Johor to Pekan.
"Upon reaching the spot, the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the plastic barriers placed near the sinkhole. The lorry plunged into the sinkhole.
"The driver might not have noticed the temporary detour and Bailey bridge for vehicles near the sinkhole site. The driver, who was alone, died on the spot," he said in a statement today.
He said the case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
Meanwhile, Pahang Fire and Rescue Department public relations officer Zulfadli Zakaria said seven firemen from the Chini fire station reached the accident scene about 9.01pm.
"The lorry driver was trapped inside the vehicle and firemen deployed specialised equipment to extricate the victim before his remains was handed to the police," he said, adding the operation ended at 10.05pm.
The sinkhole emerged several months ago believed to be due to continuous heavy rain in the area on Jan 6 this year before the stretch was temporarily closed to all vehicles
A Bailey bridge was built at the site to serve as a temporary solution until a permanent bridge is built at a cost of RM17 million.
