KOTA KINABALU: Two men died when the motorcycle they were riding skidded before plunging into a ditch while trying to avoid a lorry tyre that came off at Kilometre 7, Jalan Penampang–Kota Kinabalu in Penampang on Sunday (May 12).
In the incident at about 6.30am, both the 27-year-old and 17-year-old victims were confirmed dead at the scene due to serious injuries.
Penampang district deputy police chief Deputy Supt Erwansyah Abdul Basir said the accident involved three vehicles travelling from Penampang towards Kota Kinabalu.
He said that initial police investigations found that a lorry's spare tyre had reportedly come off and fallen in the middle of the road.
"At about the same time, two motorcycles were going in the same direction, and both tried to avoid the tyre," he said, adding that one of the motorcycles skidded into the drain.
"Both the motorcyclists and his pillion died at the scene," he added.
DSP Erwansyah said the bodies of the two victims were sent to the Forensic Department of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital I for an autopsy as part of the investigations.
He said further investigation was still being conducted in accordance with Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
"Witnesses to the incident should come forward and provide information to assist further investigations," he said.
