KOTA KINABALU: Police say that the SUV that crashed into the departure hall of Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) on Thursday (Aug 8) was caused by a 66-year-old woman accidentally stepping on the accelerator while trying to switch driver seats with her son.
Kota Kinabalu District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Shahrudin Mat Husain said the woman had stopped in the second lane outside the terminal building at around 4.55pm to allow her son to take over driving.
"When she tried to get out, the SUV began moving slowly because it was not in 'park' mode. Panicking, she accidentally pressed the accelerator, sending the vehicle speeding forward," ACP Shahrudin said in a statement on Sunday (Aug 9).
The SUV slammed into another vehicle before veering off, shattering the glass doors of the airport’s departure hall, and coming to a stop against a concrete building pillar.
The driver managed to exit the moving vehicle before impact but sustained minor facial injuries from glass fragments. She was transported by ambulance to Queen Elizabeth I Hospital for treatment.
Police are investigating the incident under Rule 10 of the Road Traffic Rules 1959 (LN 166/59) for failing to exercise proper control over a vehicle.
ACP Shahrudin advised motorists to ensure their vehicles are fully secured in "park" with the handbrake engaged before stepping out, urging drivers to exercise extra caution in high-traffic airport terminal lanes.
