Tow-truck driver rushes to accident scene, kills schoolgirl in collision

KOTA KINABALU: A tow-truck driver believed to have been rushing to an accident scene to get the business ended up killing a teenager instead.

The driver lost control of his truck and crashed into two students walking by the roadside along the Ranau-Telupid road some 120km from here, at about 3.30pm on Tuesday (April 17).

The accident caused a 16-year-old her life, and resulted in a 15-year-old sustaining serious injuries.

The driver, identified as Mohd Faizan, 33, was seriously injured as well.

Ranau police chief Deputy Supt Farhan Lee said the students, Nor Aliz Khairunnisya Azazahari, 16, and Elcy Hairyson, 15, were walking home from their school at SMK Matupang, Ranau.

Nor Aliz was killed on the spot while Elcy suffered a broken leg and injuries to her head.

"Initial investigations showed that the tow-truck driver was heading towards Telupid and as he neared the accident scene, lost control of his truck and crashed to the roadside," DSP Lee said in a statement Thursday (April 19).

DSP Lee said the truck skidded and hit the two schoolgirls.

"We will be investigating this case under the Road Transport Act for reckless driving," he added.