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Published: Friday January 11, 2013 MYT 7:26:00 PM
Updated: Friday January 11, 2013 MYT 9:34:52 PM

Angry mob sets RTD patrol car ablaze

By FONG KEE SOON


The overturned a Road Transport Department (RTD) vehicle on fire The overturned a Road Transport Department (RTD) vehicle on fire

SITIAWAN: An angry mob overturned a Road Transport Department (RTD) vehicle and set it ablaze following an accident in Ayer Tawar involving 10 vehicles, including two school buses and a lorry, near a traffic light.

The four JPJ officers in the vehicle, a four-wheel drive, who got out and saw the mob heading towards them, flagged down a car and hitched a ride away from the scene at about 12.30pm on Friday.

The 11-vehicle pile-up injured 15 people.

The accident is believed to have happened when the RTD vehicle swerved in front of the lorry to stop it.

The lorry driver hit the emergency brakes but not in time to avoid hitting the patrol car.

The vehicles behind crashed into one another.

Manjung deputy OCPD Deputy Supt Ahmad Mat Isa, who confirmed the incident, said police were investigating the cause of the accident.

A few policemen who were on the spot were powerless to control the crowd that, some witnesses said, swelled to more than 30.

Some smashed the RTD car's windows and others overturned the vehicle before it was set alight.

They also threw objects at a team of 14 personnel from the Sitiawan fire and rescue department who put out the fire and were assisting the accident victims.

The injured were sent to Hospital Seri Manjung for treatment.

“The matter will be investigated under Section 42 and 435 of the Penal Code for rioting and mischief by fire and under Section 43 of the Road Transport Act 1987 for dangerous driving,” the deputy OCPD said.

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