Man killed as train crashes into car in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: A man was killed while his friend sustained serious injuries after the pickup truck they were in was hit by a train in Papar near here Tuesday evening.

Papar district police chief Deputy Supt Ladamah Sulaiman said the driver Jumar Talib, 50, was pronounced dead at the Papar hospital while his friend Akob Tamsi, 50, is still receiving treatment.

Two others who were seated at the back managed to jump out of the truck safely in the 4.29pm accident.

"According to our initial investigations, the four were on their way home after work," he said.

"Jumar is believed to have driven across the train tracks but he did not see the oncoming train," DSP Ladamah said, adding that it was not a designated railway crossing.

The pickup truck was dragged along the tracks for about 15 metres before the train pulled to a stop.