Seven killed in Genting van crash

GENTING HIGHLANDS: The co-driver of a tourist van which crashed here succumbed to his injuries, raising the death toll to seven, said Pahang police chief Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf.

He said 14 people – including two drivers – were in the vehicle during the incident which occurred at around 1.15pm yesterday.

He added the deceased comprised two men and five women.

He said the co-driver Chang Them Kong, 70, was among six victims who were sent to Hospital Kuala Lumpur but died while receiving medical treatment.

Comm Ramli said two others were sent to the Bentong Hospital for medical treatment but were later transferred to the Termeloh Hospital, while six had died at the scene.“The six had been identified as the driver, Wong Choun Chiet, 49, Foong Ah Lan, 68, Lee Moy, 67, Goh Siew Kim, 61, Ang Meng Hong, 62, and Seow Mee Tin, 72,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Horrific tragedy: Media personnel waiting outside of the emergency department at HKL. (Below) Firefighters had to use rescue tools to remove the pinned victims from the wreckage. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star/China Press

He said the van came to Genting Highlands from Penang with 12 women and two male drivers.

“They were on their way down from Genting Highlands when the driver failed to negotiate a sharp corner and crashed into the divider,” he said.

He also urged witnesses to come forward and assist in further investigations.

“We also want to remind motorists to always be cautious and courteous and ensure their vehicles are well maintained before taking to the roads,” he said.

Meanwhile, Fire and Rescue Department operations commander Mohd Saufi Zakaria said the accident occurred near KM4.8 of Jalan Genting Highlands.

“We received a distress call at around 1.15pm and sent a fire engine and six personnel to the location.

“We arrived about 15 minutes later and began extricating the victims from the vehicle,” he said in a post on the Pahang Fire and Rescue Department Facebook page.

Mohd Saufi said they used rescue tools to take out the trapped victims before handing them over to medical personnel at the scene for further treatment.

“The deceased were handed over to the police for further action,” he said.

Pahang Fire and Rescue Department director Wan Mohammad Zaidi Wan Isa told Bernama that the van passengers were a group of tourists from Kulim, Kedah.

Meanwhile, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said his heart went out to the families of the victims.

“May their loved ones find strength in this very difficult time, and may the deceased rest in peace.

“My prayers are with the other victims who are undergoing treatment,” said Dr Wee, a former transport minister.